Kras nucleic acids and uses thereof

ABSTRACT

Disclosed herein are molecules and pharmaceutical compositions that mediate RNA interference against KRAS. Also described herein include methods for treating a disease or disorder that comprises a molecule or a pharmaceutical composition that mediate RNA interference against KRAS.

CROSS-REFERENCE

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.62/316,937, filed Apr. 1, 2016, which application is incorporated hereinby reference.

SEQUENCE LISTING

The instant application contains a Sequence Listing which has beensubmitted electronically in ASCII format and is hereby incorporated byreference in its entirety. Said ASCII copy, created on Mar. 24, 2017, isnamed 45532-708_201_SL.txt and is 23,860 bytes in size.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Gene suppression by RNA-induced gene silencing provides several levelsof control: transcription inactivation, small interfering RNA(siRNA)-induced mRNA degradation, and siRN A-induced transcriptionalattenuation. In some instances, RNA interference (RNAi) provides longlasting effect over multiple cell divisions. As such, RNAi represents aviable method useful for drug target validation, gene function analysis,pathway analysis, and disease therapeutics.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

Disclosed herein, in certain embodiments, are molecules andpharmaceutical compositions for modulating KRAS function and/orexpression in a cell.

Disclosed herein, in certain embodiments, is a polynucleic acid moleculethat mediates RNA interference against KRAS, wherein the polynucleicacid molecule comprises at least one 2′ modified nucleotide, at leastone modified internucleotide linkage, or at least one inverted abasicmoiety.

In some embodiments, the at least one 2′ modified nucleotide comprises2′-O-methyl, 2′-O-methoxyethyl (2′-O-MOE), 2′-O-aminopropyl, 2′-deoxy,T-deoxy-2′-fluoro, 2′-O-aminopropyl (2′-O-AP), 2′-O-dimethylaminoethyl(2′-O-DMAOE), 2′-O-dimethylaminopropyl (2′-O-DMAP),T-O-dimethylaminoethyloxyethyl (2′-O-DMAEOE), or 2′-O-N-methylacetamido(2′-O-NMA) modified nucleotide. In some embodiments, the at least one 2′modified nucleotide comprises locked nucleic acid (LNA) or ethylenenucleic acid (ENA). In some embodiments, the at least one inverted basicmoiety is at at least one terminus. In some embodiments, the at leastone modified internucleotide linkage comprises a phosphorothioatelinkage or a phosphorodithioate linkage.

In some embodiments, the polynucleic acid molecule is at least fromabout 10 to about 30 nucleotides in length. In some embodiments, thepolynucleic acid molecule is at least one of: from about 15 to about 30,from about 18 to about 25, form about 18 to about 24, from about 19 toabout 23, or from about 20 to about 22 nucleotides in length. In someembodiments, the polynucleic acid molecule is at least about 16, 17, 18,19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, or 25 nucleotides in length.

In some embodiments, the polynucleic acid molecule comprises at leastone of: from about 5% to about 100% modification, from about 10% toabout 100% modification, from about 20% to about 100% modification, fromabout 30% to about 100% modification, from about 40% to about 100%modification, from about 50% to about 100% modification, from about 60%to about 100% modification, from about 70% to about 100% modification,from about 80% to about 100% modification, and from about 90% to about100% modification.

In some embodiments, the polynucleic acid molecule comprises at leastone of: from about 10% to about 90% modification, from about 20% toabout 90% modification, from about 30% to about 90% modification, fromabout 40% to about 90% modification, from about 50% to about 90%modification, from about 60% to about 90% modification, from about 70%to about 90% modification, and from about 80% to about 100%modification.

In some embodiments, the polynucleic acid molecule comprises at leastone of: from about 10% to about 80% modification, from about 20% toabout 80% modification, from about 30% to about 80% modification, fromabout 40% to about 80% modification, from about 50% to about 80%modification, from about 60% to about 80% modification, and from about70% to about 80% modification.

In some embodiments, the polynucleic acid molecule comprises at leastone of: from about 10% to about 70% modification, from about 20% toabout 70% modification, from about 30% to about 70% modification, fromabout 40% to about 70% modification, from about 50% to about 70%modification, and from about 60% to about 70% modification.

In some embodiments, the polynucleic acid molecule comprises at leastone of: from about 10% to about 60% modification, from about 20% toabout 60% modification, from about 30% to about 60% modification, fromabout 40% to about 60% modification, and from about 50% to about 60%modification.

In some embodiments, the polynucleic acid molecule comprises at leastone of: from about 10% to about 50% modification, from about 20% toabout 50% modification, from about 30% to about 50% modification, andfrom about 40% to about 50% modification.

In some embodiments, the polynucleic acid molecule comprises at leastone of: from about 10% to about 40% modification, from about 20% toabout 40% modification, and from about 30% to about 40% modification.

In some embodiments, the polynucleic acid molecule comprises at leastone of: from about 10% to about 30% modification, and from about 20% toabout 30% modification.

In some embodiments, the polynucleic acid molecule comprises from about10% to about 20% modification.

In some embodiments, the polynucleic acid molecule comprises from about15% to about 90%, from about 20% to about 80%, from about 30% to about70%, or from about 40% to about 60% modifications.

In some embodiments, the polynucleic acid molecule comprises at leastabout 15%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, 95%, or 99%modification.

In some embodiments, the polynucleic acid molecule comprises at leastabout 3, about 4, about 5, about 6, about 7, about 8, about 9, about 10,about 11, about 12, about 13, about 14, about 15, about 16, about 17,about 18, about 19, about 20, about 21, about 22, or more modifications.

In some embodiments, the polynucleic acid molecule comprises at leastabout 1, about 2, about 3, about 4, about 5, about 6, about 7, about 8,about 9, about 10, about 11, about 12, about 13, about 14, about 15,about 16, about 17, about 18, about 19, about 20, about 21, about 22, ormore modified nucleotides.

In some embodiments, the polynucleic acid molecule comprises a sequencethat hybridizes to a target sequence selected from SEQ ID NOs: 1-15.

In some embodiments, the polynucleic acid molecule comprises a singlestrand.

In some embodiments, the polynucleic acid molecule comprises two or morestrands.

In some embodiments, the polynucleic acid molecule comprises a firstpolynucleotide and a second polynucleotide hybridized to the firstpolynucleotide to form a double-stranded polynucleic acid molecule.

In some embodiments, the second polynucleotide comprises at least onemodification.

In some embodiments, the first polynucleotide and the secondpolynucleotide are RNA molecules. In some embodiments, the firstpolynucleotide and the second polynucleotide are siRNA molecules.

In some embodiments, the first polynucleotide comprises a sequencehaving at least 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%,99%, or 100% sequence identity to SEQ ID NOs: 16-81. In someembodiments, the first polynucleotide consists of a sequence selectedfrom SEQ ID NOs: 16-81. In some embodiments, the second polynucleotidecomprises a sequence having at least 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%,95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100% sequence identity to SEQ ID NOs: 16-81.In some embodiments, the second polynucleotide consists of a sequenceselected from SEQ ID NOs: 16-81.

Disclosed herein, in certain embodiments, is a pharmaceuticalcomposition comprising: a) a molecule disclosed above; and b) apharmaceutically acceptable excipient. In some embodiments, thepharmaceutical composition is formulated as a nanoparticle formulation.In some embodiments, the pharmaceutical composition is formulated forparenteral, oral, intranasal, buccal, rectal, or transdermaladministration.

Disclosed herein, in certain embodiments, is a method of treating adisease or disorder in a patient in need thereof, comprisingadministering to the patient a composition comprising a moleculedisclosed above. In some embodiments, the disease or disorder is acancer. In some embodiments, the cancer is a solid tumor. In someembodiments, the cancer is a hematologic malignancy. In someembodiments, the cancer comprises a KRAS-associated cancer. In someembodiments, the cancer comprises bladder cancer, breast cancer,colorectal cancer, endometrial cancer, esophageal cancer, glioblastomamultiforme, head and neck cancer, kidney cancer, lung cancer, ovariancancer, pancreatic cancer, prostate cancer, or thyroid cancer. In someembodiments, the cancer comprises acute myeloid leukemia, CLL, DLBCL, ormultiple myeloma.

Disclosed herein, in certain embodiments, is a method of inhibiting theexpression of KRAS gene in a primary cell of a patient, comprisingadministering a molecule disclosed above to the primary cell. In someembodiments, the method is an in vivo method. In some embodiments, thepatient is a human.

Disclosed herein, in certain embodiments, is a kit comprising a moleculedisclosed above.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various aspects of the invention are set forth with particularity in theappended claims. A better understanding of the features and advantagesof the present invention will be obtained by reference to the followingdetailed description that sets forth illustrative embodiments, in whichthe principles of the invention are utilized, and the accompanyingdrawings of which:

FIG. 1 illustrates reductions in cell viability of H358 cell in 3Dculture after transfection of anti-KRAS siRNA (siRNA R-1120) withRNAiMAX.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

Kirsten Rat Sarcoma Viral Oncogene Homolog (also known as GTPase KRas,V-Ki-ras2 Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene homolog, or KRAS) isinvolved in regulating cell division. The K-Ras protein is a GTPasebelonging to the Ras superfamily. In some instances, K-Ras modulatescell cycle progression, as well as induces growth arrest, apoptosis, andreplicative senescence under different environmental triggers (e.g.,cellular stress, ultraviolet, heat shock, or ionizing irradiation). Insome cases, wild type KRAS gene has been shown to be frequently lostduring tumor progression in different types of cancer, while mutationsof KRAS gene have been linked to cancer development. In some instances,KRAS amplification has also been implicated in cancer development (see,for example, Valtorta et al. “KRAS gene amplification in colorectalcancer and impact on response to EGFR-targeted therapy,” Int. J. Cancer133: 1259-1266 (2013)). In such cases, the cancer pertains to arefractory cancer in which the patient has acquired resistance to aparticular inhibitor or class of inhibitors.

Disclosed herein, in certain embodiments, are polynucleic acid moleculesand pharmaceutical compositions that modulate the expression of KRAS. Insome instances, the polynucleic acid molecules and pharmaceuticalcompositions modulate the expression of wild type KRAS gene. In otherinstances, the polynucleic acid molecules and pharmaceuticalcompositions modulate the expression of mutant KRAS.

In some embodiments, the polynucleic acid molecules and pharmaceuticalcompositions are used for the treatment of a disease or disorder (e.g.,cancer or a KRAS-associated disease or disorder). In additionalembodiments, the polynucleic acid molecules and pharmaceuticalcompositions are used for inhibiting the expression of KRAS gene in aprimary cell of a patient in need thereof.

In additional cases, also included herein are kits that comprise one ormore of polynucleic acid molecules and pharmaceutical compositionsdescribed herein.

Polynucleic Acid Molecule

In some embodiments, a polynucleic acid molecule described hereinmodulates the expression of the KRAS gene (GenBank: BC010502.1). In someembodiments, the KRAS gene is wild type or comprises a mutation. In someinstances, KRAS mRNA is wild type or comprises a mutation. In someinstances, the polynucleic acid molecule is a polynucleic acid moleculethat hybridizes to a target region of wild type KRAS DNA or RNA. In someinstances, the polynucleic acid molecule is a polynucleic acid moleculethat hybridizes to a target region of KRAS DNA or RNA comprising amutation (e.g., a substitution, a deletion, or an addition).

In some embodiments, KRAS DNA or RNA comprises one or more mutations. Insome embodiments, KRAS DNA or RNA comprises one or more mutations atcodons 12 or 13 in exon 1. In some instances, KRAS DNA or RNA comprisesone or more mutations at codons 61, 63, 117, 119, or 146. In someinstances, KRAS DNA or RNA comprises one or more mutations at positionscorresponding to amino acid residues 12, 13, 18, 19, 20, 22, 24, 26, 36,59, 61, 63, 64, 68, 110, 116, 117, 119, 146, 147, 158, 164, 176, oracombination thereof of the KRAS polypeptide. In some embodiments, KRASDNA or RNA comprises one or more mutations at positions corresponding toamino acid residues selected from G12V, G12D, G12C, G12A, G12S, G12F,G13C, G13D, G13V, A18D, L19F, T2OR, Q22K, I24N, N26K, I36L, I36M, A59G,A59E, Q61K, Q61H, Q61L, Q61R, E63K, Y64D, Y64N, R68S, P110S, K117N,C118S, A146T, A146P, A146V, K147N, T158A, R164Q, K176Q, or a combinationthereof of the KRAS polypeptide.

In some embodiments, a polynucleic acid molecule hybridizes to a targetregion of KRAS DNA or RNA comprising one or more mutations. In someembodiments, the polynucleic acid molecule hybridizes to a target regionof KRAS DNA or RNA comprising one or more mutations at codons 12 or 13in exon 1. In some embodiments, the polynucleic acid molecule hybridizesto a target region of KRAS DNA or RNA comprising one or more mutationsat codons 61, 63, 117, 119, or 146. In some embodiments, the polynucleicacid molecule hybridizes to a target region of KRAS DNA or RNAcomprising one or more mutations at positions corresponding to aminoacid residues 12, 13, 18, 19, 20, 22, 24, 26, 36, 59, 61, 63, 64, 68,110, 116, 117, 119, 146, 147, 158, 164, 176, ora combination thereof ofthe KRAS polypeptide. In some embodiments, the polynucleic acid moleculehybridizes to a target region of KRAS DNA or RNA comprising one or moremutations corresponding to amino acid residues selected from G12V, G12D,G12C, G12A, G12S, G12F, G13C, G13D, G13V, A18D, L19F, T2OR, Q22K, I24N,N26K, I36L, I36M, A59G, A59E, Q61K, Q61H, Q61L, Q61R, E63K, Y64D, Y64N,R68S, P110S, K117N, C118S, A146T, A146P, A146V, K147N, T158A, R164Q,K176Q, or a combination thereof of the KRAS polypeptide.

In some embodiments, a polynucleic acid molecule comprises a sequencethat hybridizes to a target sequence illustrated in Table 1. In someembodiments, the polynucleic acid molecule hybridizes to a KRAS targetsequence selected from SEQ ID NOs: 1-15. In some cases, the polynucleicacid molecule hybridizes to a KRAS target sequence selected from SEQ IDNOs: 1-15 with less than 5 mismatched bases, with less than 4 mismatchedbases, with less than 3 mismatched bases, with less than 2 mismatchedbases, or with 1 mismatched base. In some cases, the polynucleic acidmolecule hybridizes to a KRAS target sequence selected from SEQ ID NOs:1-15 with less than 4 mismatched bases.

In some embodiments, a polynucleic acid molecule comprises a sequencehaving at least 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%,97%, 98%, 99%, or 100% sequence identity to a sequence listed in Table2, Table 3, or Table 6. In some embodiments, the polynucleic acidmolecule comprises a sequence having at least 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%,75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100% sequence identityto SEQ ID NOs: 16-81. In some embodiments, the polynucleic acid moleculecomprises a sequence having at least 50% sequence identity to SEQ IDNOs: 16-81. In some embodiments, the polynucleic acid molecule comprisesa sequence having at least 60% sequence identity to SEQ ID NOs: 16-81.In some embodiments, the polynucleic acid molecule comprises a sequencehaving at least 70% sequence identity to SEQ ID NOs: 16-81. In someembodiments, the polynucleic acid molecule comprises a sequence havingat least 75% sequence identity to SEQ ID NOs: 16-81. In someembodiments, the polynucleic acid molecule comprises a sequence havingat least 80% sequence identity to SEQ ID NOs: 16-81. In someembodiments, the polynucleic acid molecule comprises a sequence havingat least 85% sequence identity to SEQ ID NOs: 16-81. In someembodiments, the polynucleic acid molecule comprises a sequence havingat least 90% sequence identity to SEQ ID NOs: 16-81. In someembodiments, the polynucleic acid molecule comprises a sequence havingat least 95% sequence identity to SEQ ID NOs: 16-81. In someembodiments, the polynucleic acid molecule comprises a sequence havingat least 96% sequence identity to SEQ ID NOs: 16-81. In someembodiments, the polynucleic acid molecule comprises a sequence havingat least 97% sequence identity to SEQ ID NOs: 16-81. In someembodiments, the polynucleic acid molecule comprises a sequence havingat least 98% sequence identity to SEQ ID NOs: 16-81. In someembodiments, the polynucleic acid molecule comprises a sequence havingat least 99% sequence identity to SEQ ID NOs: 16-81. In someembodiments, the polynucleic acid molecule consists of SEQ ID NOs:16-81.

In some embodiments, a polynucleic acid molecule comprises a firstpolynucleotide and a second polynucleotide. In some instances, the firstpolynucleotide comprises a sequence having at least 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%,70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100% sequenceidentity to SEQ ID NOs: 16-81. In some cases, the second polynucleotidecomprises a sequence having at least 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%,85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100% sequence identity to SEQ IDNOs: 16-81. In some cases, the polynucleic acid molecule comprises afirst polynucleotide having at least 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%,85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100% sequence identity to SEQ IDNOs: 16-81 and a second polynucleotide having at least 50%, 55%, 60%,65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100% sequenceidentity to SEQ ID NOs: 16-81.

In some embodiments, a polynucleic acid molecule described hereincomprises RNA or DNA. In some cases, the polynucleic acid moleculecomprises RNA. In some instances, RNA comprises short interfering RNA(siRNA), short hairpin RNA (shRNA), microRNA (miRNA), double-strandedRNA (dsRNA), transfer RNA (tRNA), ribosomal RNA (rRNA), or heterogeneousnuclear RNA (hnRNA). In some instances, RNA comprises shRNA. In someinstances, RNA comprises miRNA. In some instances, RNA comprises dsRNA.In some instances, RNA comprises tRNA. In some instances, RNA comprisesrRNA. In some instances, RNA comprises hnRNA. In some instances, the RNAcomprises siRNA. In some instances, the polynucleic acid moleculecomprises siRNA.

In some embodiments, a polynucleic acid molecule is from about 10 toabout 50 nucleotides in length. In some instances, the polynucleic acidmolecule is from about 10 to about 30, from about 15 to about 30, fromabout 18 to about 25, from about 18 to about 24, from about 19 to about23, or from about 20 to about 22 nucleotides in length.

In some embodiments, a polynucleic acid molecule is about 50 nucleotidesin length. In some instances, the polynucleic acid molecule is about 45nucleotides in length. In some instances, the polynucleic acid moleculeis about 40 nucleotides in length. In some instances, the polynucleicacid molecule is about 35 nucleotides in length. In some instances, thepolynucleic acid molecule is about 30 nucleotides in length. In someinstances, the polynucleic acid molecule is about 25 nucleotides inlength. In some instances, the polynucleic acid molecule is about 20nucleotides in length. In some instances, the polynucleic acid moleculeis about 19 nucleotides in length. In some instances, the polynucleicacid molecule is about 18 nucleotides in length. In some instances, thepolynucleic acid molecule is about 17 nucleotides in length. In someinstances, the polynucleic acid molecule is about 16 nucleotides inlength. In some instances, the polynucleic acid molecule is about 15nucleotides in length. In some instances, the polynucleic acid moleculeis about 14 nucleotides in length. In some instances, the polynucleicacid molecule is about 13 nucleotides in length. In some instances, thepolynucleic acid molecule is about 12 nucleotides in length. In someinstances, the polynucleic acid molecule is about 11 nucleotides inlength. In some instances, the polynucleic acid molecule is about 10nucleotides in length. In some instances, the polynucleic acid moleculeis from about 10 to about 50 nucleotides in length. In some instances,the polynucleic acid molecule is from about 10 to about 45 nucleotidesin length. In some instances, the polynucleic acid molecule is fromabout 10 to about 40 nucleotides in length. In some instances, thepolynucleic acid molecule is from about 10 to about 35 nucleotides inlength. In some instances, the polynucleic acid molecule is from about10 to about 30 nucleotides in length. In some instances, the polynucleicacid molecule is from about 10 to about 25 nucleotides in length. Insome instances, the polynucleic acid molecule is from about 10 to about20 nucleotides in length. In some instances, the polynucleic acidmolecule is from about 15 to about 25 nucleotides in length. In someinstances, the polynucleic acid molecule is from about 15 to about 30nucleotides in length. In some instances, the polynucleic acid moleculeis from about 12 to about 30 nucleotides in length.

In some embodiments, a polynucleic acid molecule comprises a firstpolynucleotide. In some instances, the polynucleic acid moleculecomprises a second polynucleotide. In some instances, the polynucleicacid molecule comprises a first polynucleotide and a secondpolynucleotide. In some instances, the first polynucleotide is a sensestrand or passenger strand. In some instances, the second polynucleotideis an antisense strand or guide strand.

In some embodiments, a polynucleic acid molecule described herein is afirst polynucleotide. In some embodiments, the first polynucleotide isfrom about 10 to about 50 nucleotides in length. In some instances, thefirst polynucleotide is from about 10 to about 30, from about 15 toabout 30, from about 18 to about 25, from about 18 to about 24, fromabout 19 to about 23, or from about 20 to about 22 nucleotides inlength.

In some instances, a first polynucleotide is about 50 nucleotides inlength. In some instances, the first polynucleotide is about 45nucleotides in length. In some instances, the first polynucleotide isabout 40 nucleotides in length. In some instances, the firstpolynucleotide is about 35 nucleotides in length. In some instances, thefirst polynucleotide is about 30 nucleotides in length. In someinstances, the first polynucleotide is about 25 nucleotides in length.In some instances, the first polynucleotide is about 20 nucleotides inlength. In some instances, the first polynucleotide is about 19nucleotides in length. In some instances, the first polynucleotide isabout 18 nucleotides in length. In some instances, the firstpolynucleotide is about 17 nucleotides in length. In some instances, thefirst polynucleotide is about 16 nucleotides in length. In someinstances, the first polynucleotide is about 15 nucleotides in length.In some instances, the first polynucleotide is about 14 nucleotides inlength. In some instances, the first polynucleotide is about 13nucleotides in length. In some instances, the first polynucleotide isabout 12 nucleotides in length. In some instances, the firstpolynucleotide is about 11 nucleotides in length. In some instances, thefirst polynucleotide is about 10 nucleotides in length. In someinstances, the first polynucleotide is from about 10 to about 50nucleotides in length. In some instances, the first polynucleotide isfrom about 10 to about 45 nucleotides in length. In some instances, thefirst polynucleotide is from about 10 to about 40 nucleotides in length.In some instances, the first polynucleotide is from about 10 to about 35nucleotides in length. In some instances, the first polynucleotide isfrom about 10 to about 30 nucleotides in length. In some instances, thefirst polynucleotide is from about 10 to about 25 nucleotides in length.In some instances, the first polynucleotide is from about 10 to about 20nucleotides in length. In some instances, the first polynucleotide isfrom about 15 to about 25 nucleotides in length. In some instances, thefirst polynucleotide is from about 15 to about 30 nucleotides in length.In some instances, the first polynucleotide is from about 12 to about 30nucleotides in length.

In some embodiments, a polynucleic acid molecule described herein is asecond polynucleotide. In some embodiments, the second polynucleotide isfrom about 10 to about 50 nucleotides in length. In some instances, thesecond polynucleotide is from about 10 to about 30, from about 15 toabout 30, from about 18 to about 25, from about 18 to about 24, fromabout 19 to about 23, or from about 20 to about 22 nucleotides inlength.

In some instances, a second polynucleotide is about 50 nucleotides inlength. In some instances, the second polynucleotide is about 45nucleotides in length. In some instances, the second polynucleotide isabout 40 nucleotides in length. In some instances, the secondpolynucleotide is about 35 nucleotides in length. In some instances, thesecond polynucleotide is about 30 nucleotides in length. In someinstances, the second polynucleotide is about 25 nucleotides in length.In some instances, the second polynucleotide is about 20 nucleotides inlength. In some instances, the second polynucleotide is about 19nucleotides in length. In some instances, the second polynucleotide isabout 18 nucleotides in length. In some instances, the secondpolynucleotide is about 17 nucleotides in length. In some instances, thesecond polynucleotide is about 16 nucleotides in length. In someinstances, the second polynucleotide is about 15 nucleotides in length.In some instances, the second polynucleotide is about 14 nucleotides inlength. In some instances, the second polynucleotide is about 13nucleotides in length. In some instances, the second polynucleotide isabout 12 nucleotides in length. In some instances, the secondpolynucleotide is about 11 nucleotides in length. In some instances, thesecond polynucleotide is about 10 nucleotides in length. In someinstances, the second polynucleotide is from about 10 to about 50nucleotides in length. In some instances, the second polynucleotide isfrom about 10 to about 45 nucleotides in length. In some instances, thesecond polynucleotide is from about 10 to about 40 nucleotides inlength. In some instances, the second polynucleotide is from about 10 toabout 35 nucleotides in length. In some instances, the secondpolynucleotide is from about 10 to about 30 nucleotides in length. Insome instances, the second polynucleotide is from about 10 to about 25nucleotides in length. In some instances, the second polynucleotide isfrom about 10 to about 20 nucleotides in length. In some instances, thesecond polynucleotide is from about 15 to about 25 nucleotides inlength. In some instances, the second polynucleotide is from about 15 toabout 30 nucleotides in length. In some instances, the secondpolynucleotide is from about 12 to about 30 nucleotides in length.

In some embodiments, a polynucleic acid molecule comprises a firstpolynucleotide and a second polynucleotide. In some instances, thepolynucleic acid molecule further comprises a blunt terminus, anoverhang, or a combination thereof. In some instances, the bluntterminus is a 5′ blunt terminus, a 3′ blunt terminus, or both. In somecases, the overhang is a 5′ overhang, 3′ overhang, or both. In somecases, the overhang comprises 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10 non-basepairing nucleotides. In some cases, the overhang comprises 1, 2, 3, 4,5, or 6 non-base pairing nucleotides. In some cases, the overhangcomprises 1, 2, 3, or 4 non-base pairing nucleotides. In some cases, theoverhang comprises 1 non-base pairing nucleotide. In some cases, theoverhang comprises 2 non-base pairing nucleotides. In some cases, theoverhang comprises 3 non-base pairing nucleotides. In some cases, theoverhang comprises 4 non-base pairing nucleotides.

In some embodiments, the sequence of a polynucleic acid molecule is atleast 40%, 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 98%, 99%,or 99.5% complementary to a target sequence described herein. In someembodiments, the sequence of the polynucleic acid molecule is at least50% complementary to a target sequence described herein. In someembodiments, the sequence of the polynucleic acid molecule is at least60% complementary to a target sequence described herein. In someembodiments, the sequence of the polynucleic acid molecule is at least70% complementary to a target sequence described herein. In someembodiments, the sequence of the polynucleic acid molecule is at least80% complementary to a target sequence described herein. In someembodiments, the sequence of the polynucleic acid molecule is at least90% complementary to a target sequence described herein. In someembodiments, the sequence of the polynucleic acid molecule is at least95% complementary to a target sequence described herein. In someembodiments, the sequence of the polynucleic acid molecule is at least99% complementary to a target sequence described herein. In someinstances, the sequence of the polynucleic acid molecule is 100%complementary to a target sequence described herein.

In some embodiments, the sequence of a polynucleic acid molecule has 5or less mismatches to a target sequence described herein. In someembodiments, the sequence of the polynucleic acid molecule has 4 or lessmismatches to a target sequence described herein. In some instances, thesequence of the polynucleic acid molecule has 3 or less mismatches to atarget sequence described herein. In some cases, the sequence of thepolynucleic acid molecule has 2 or less mismatches to a target sequencedescribed herein. In some cases, the sequence of the polynucleic acidmolecule has 1 or less mismatches to a target sequence described herein.

In some embodiments, the specificity of a polynucleic acid molecule thathybridizes to a target sequence described herein is a 95%, 98%, 99%,99.5% or 100% sequence complementarity of the polynucleic acid moleculeto a target sequence. In some instances, the hybridization is a highstringent hybridization condition.

In some embodiments, the polynucleic acid molecule hybridizes to atleast 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, or morecontiguous bases of a target sequence described herein. In someembodiments, the polynucleic acid molecule hybridizes to at least 8contiguous bases of a target sequence described herein. In someembodiments, the polynucleic acid molecule hybridizes to at least 9contiguous bases of a target sequence described herein. In someembodiments, the polynucleic acid molecule hybridizes to at least 10contiguous bases of a target sequence described herein. In someembodiments, the polynucleic acid molecule hybridizes to at least 11contiguous bases of a target sequence described herein. In someembodiments, the polynucleic acid molecule hybridizes to at least 12contiguous bases of a target sequence described herein. In someembodiments, the polynucleic acid molecule hybridizes to at least 15contiguous bases of a target sequence described herein. In someembodiments, the polynucleic acid molecule hybridizes to at least 18contiguous bases of a target sequence described herein.

In some embodiments, a polynucleic acid molecule described herein hasreduced off-target effect. In some instances, “off-target” or“off-target effects” refer to any instance in which a polynucleic acidpolymer directed against a given target causes an unintended effect byinteracting either directly or indirectly with another mRNA sequence, aDNA sequence, or a cellular protein or other moiety. In some instances,an “off-target effect” occurs when there is a simultaneous degradationof other transcripts due to partial homology or complementarity betweenthat other transcript and the sense and/or antisense strand of thepolynucleic acid molecule.

In some embodiments, a polynucleic acid molecule comprises natural,synthetic, or artificial nucleotide analogues or bases. In some cases,the polynucleic acid molecule comprises combinations of DNA, RNA, and/ornucleotide analogues. In some instances, the synthetic or artificialnucleotide analogues or bases comprise modifications at one or more ofribose moiety, phosphate moiety, nucleoside moiety, or a combinationthereof.

In some embodiments, nucleotide analogues or artificial nucleotide basecomprise a nucleic acid with a modification at a 2′ hydroxyl group ofthe ribose moiety. In some instances, the modification includes an H,OR, R, halo, SH, SR, NH2, NHR, NR2, or CN, wherein R is an alkyl moiety.Exemplary alkyl moiety includes, but is not limited to, halogens,sulfurs, thiols, thioethers, thioesters, amines (primary, secondary, ortertiary), amides, ethers, esters, alcohols and oxygen. In someinstances, the alkyl moiety further comprises a modification. In someinstances, the modification comprises an azo group, a keto group, analdehyde group, a carboxyl group, a nitro group, a nitroso, group, anitrile group, a heterocycle (e.g., imidazole, hydrazino orhydroxylamino) group, an isocyanate or cyanate group, or a sulfurcontaining group (e.g., sulfoxide, sulfone, sulfide, or disulfide). Insome instances, the alkyl moiety further comprises a heterosubstitution. In some instances, the carbon of the heterocyclic group issubstituted by a nitrogen, oxygen or sulfur. In some instances, theheterocyclic substitution includes but is not limited to, morpholino,imidazole, and pyrrolidino.

In some instances, the modification at the 2′ hydroxyl group is a2′-O-methyl modification or a 2′-O-methoxyethyl (2′-O-MOE) modification.In some cases, the 2′-O-methyl modification adds a methyl group to the2′ hydroxyl group of the ribose moiety whereas the 2′O-methoxyethylmodification adds a methoxyethyl group to the 2′ hydroxyl group of theribose moiety. Exemplary chemical structures of a 2′-O-methylmodification of an adenosine molecule and 2′O-methoxyethyl modificationof a uridine are illustrated below.

In some instances, the modification at the 2′ hydroxyl group is a2′-O-aminopropyl modification in which an extended amine groupcomprising a propyl linker binds the amine group to the 2′ oxygen. Insome instances, this modification neutralizes the phosphate-derivedoverall negative charge of the oligonucleotide molecule by introducingone positive charge from the amine group per sugar and thereby improvescellular uptake properties due to its zwitterionic properties. Anexemplary chemical structure of a 2′-O-aminopropyl nucleosidephosphoramidite is illustrated below.

In some instances, the modification at the 2′ hydroxyl group is a lockedor bridged ribose modification (e.g., locked nucleic acid or LNA) inwhich the oxygen molecule bound at the 2′ carbon is linked to the 4′carbon by a methylene group, thus forming a2′-C,4′-C-oxy-methylene-linked bicyclic ribonucleotide monomer.Exemplary representations of the chemical structure of LNA areillustrated below. The representation shown to the left highlights thechemical connectivities of an LNA monomer. The representation shown tothe right highlights the locked 3′-endo (³E) conformation of thefuranose ring of an LNA monomer.

In some instances, the modification at the 2′ hydroxyl group comprisesethylene nucleic acids (ENA) such as for example 2′-4′-ethylene-bridgednucleic acid, which locks the sugar conformation into a C₃′-endo sugarpuckering conformation. ENA are part of the bridged nucleic acids classof modified nucleic acids that also comprises LNA. Exemplary chemicalstructures of the ENA and bridged nucleic acids are illustrated below.

In some embodiments, additional modifications at the 2′ hydroxyl groupinclude 2′-deoxy, T-deoxy-2′-fluoro, 2′-O-aminopropyl (2′-O-AP),2′-O-dimethylaminoethyl (2′-O-DMAOE), 2′-O-dimethylaminopropyl(2′-O-DMAP), T-O-dimethylaminoethyloxyethyl (2′-O-DMAEOE), or2′-O-N-methylacetamido (2′-O-NMA).

In some embodiments, nucleotide analogues comprise modified bases suchas, but not limited to, 5-propynyluridine, 5-propynylcytidine,6-methyladenine, 6-methylguanine, N, N,-dimethyladenine,2-propyladenine, 2-propylguanine, 2-aminoadenine, 1-methylinosine,3-methyluridine, 5-methylcytidine, 5-methyluridine and other nucleotideshaving a modification at the 5 position, 5-(2-amino) propyl uridine,5-halocytidine, 5-halouridine, 4-acetylcytidine, 1-methyladenosine,2-methyladenosine, 3-methylcytidine, 6-methyluridine, 2-methylguanosine,7-methylguanosine, 2, 2-dimethylguanosine, 5-methylaminoethyluridine,5-methyloxyuridine, deazanucleotides (such as 7-deaza-adenosine,6-azouridine, 6-azocytidine, or 6-azothymidine), 5-methyl-2-thiouridine,other thio bases (such as 2-thiouridine, 4-thiouridine, and2-thiocytidine), dihydrouridine, pseudouridine, queuosine, archaeosine,naphthyl and substituted naphthyl groups, any O-and N-alkylated purinesand pyrimidines (such as N6-methyladenosine,5-methylcarbonylmethyluridine, uridine 5-oxyacetic acid, pyridine-4-one,or pyridine-2-one), phenyl and modified phenyl groups (such asaminophenol or 2,4, 6-trimethoxy benzene), modified cytosines that actas G-clamp nucleotides, 8-substituted adenines and guanines,5-substituted uracils and thymines, azapyrimidines, carboxyhydroxyalkylnucleotides, carboxyalkylaminoalkyi nucleotides, andalkylcarbonylalkylated nucleotides. Modified nucleotides also includethose nucleotides that are modified with respect to the sugar moiety, aswell as nucleotides having sugars or analogs thereof that are notribosyl. For example, the sugar moieties, in some cases are, or arebased on, mannoses, arabinoses, glucopyranoses, galactopyranoses,4′-thioribose, and other sugars, heterocycles, or carbocycles. The termnucleotide also includes what are known in the art as universal bases.By way of example, universal bases include, but are not limited to,3-nitropyrrole, 5-nitroindole, or nebularine.

In some embodiments, nucleotide analogues further comprise morpholinos,peptide nucleic acids (PNAs), methylphosphonate nucleotides,thiolphosphonate nucleotides, 2′-fluoro N3-P5′-phosphoramidites, 1′,5′-anhydrohexitol nucleic acids (HNAs), or a combination thereof.Morpholino or phosphorodiamidate morpholino oligo (PMO) comprisessynthetic molecules whose structure mimics natural nucleic acidstructure but deviates from the normal sugar and phosphate structures.In some instances, the five member ribose ring is substituted with a sixmember morpholino ring containing four carbons, one nitrogen, and oneoxygen. In some cases, the ribose monomers are linked by aphosphordiamidate group instead of a phosphate group. In such cases, thebackbone alterations remove all positive and negative charges makingmorpholinos neutral molecules capable of crossing cellular membraneswithout the aid of cellular delivery agents such as those used bycharged oligonucleotides.

In some embodiments, peptide nucleic acid (PNA) does not contain sugarring or phosphate linkage and the bases are attached and appropriatelyspaced by oligoglycine-like molecules, therefore eliminating a backbonecharge.

In some embodiments, one or more modifications optionally occur at theinternucleotide linkage. In some instances, modified internucleotidelinkage includes, but is not limited to, phosphorothioates;phosphorodithioates; methylphosphonates; 5′-alkylenepho sphonates;5′-methylphosphonate; 3′-alkylene phosphonates; borontrifluoridates;borano phosphate esters and selenophosphates of 3′-5′linkage or2′-5′linkage; phosphotriesters; thionoalkylphosphotriesters; hydrogenphosphonate linkages; alkyl phosphonates; alkylphosphonothioates;arylphosphonothioates; phosphoroselenoates; phosphorodiselenoates;phosphinates; phosphoramidates; 3′-alkylphosphoramidates;aminoalkylphosphoramidates; thionophosphoramidates;phosphoropiperazidates; phosphoroanilothioates; phosphoroanilidates;ketones; sulfones; sulfonamides; carbonates; carbamates;methylenehydrazos; methylenedimethylhydrazos; formacetals;thioformacetals; oximes; methyleneiminos; methylenemethyliminos;thioamidates; linkages with riboacetyl groups; aminoethyl glycine; silylor siloxane linkages; alkyl or cycloalkyl linkages with or withoutheteroatoms of, for example, 1 to 10 carbons that are saturated orunsaturated and/or substituted and/or contain heteroatoms; linkages withmorpholino structures, amides, or polyamides wherein the bases areattached to the aza nitrogens of the backbone directly or indirectly;and combinations thereof.

In some instances, the modification is a methyl or thiol modificationsuch as methylphosphonate or thiolphosphonate modification. Exemplarythiolphosphonate nucleotide (left) and methylphosphonate nucleotide(right) are illustrated below.

In some instances, a modified nucleotide includes, but is not limitedto, 2′-fluoro N3-P5′-phosphoramidites illustrated as:

In some instances, a modified nucleotide includes, but is not limitedto, hexitol nucleic acid (or 1′, 5′-anhydrohexitol nucleic acids (HNA))illustrated as:

In some embodiments, one or more modifications further optionallyinclude modifications of the ribose moiety, phosphate backbone and thenucleoside, or modifications of the nucleotide analogues at the 3′ orthe 5′ terminus. For example, the 3′ terminus optionally include a 3′cationic group, or by inverting the nucleoside at the 3′-terminus with a3′-3′ linkage. In another alternative, the 3′-terminus is optionallyconjugated with an aminoalkyl group, e.g., a 3′ C5-aminoalkyl In anadditional alternative, the 3′-terminus is optionally conjugated with anabasic site, e.g., with an apurinic or apyrimidinic site. In someinstances. the 5′-terminus is conjugated with an aminoalkyl group, e.g.,a 5′-O-alkylamino substituent. In some cases, the 5′-terminus isconjugated with an abasic site, e.g., with an apurinic or apyrimidinicsite.

In some embodiments, the polynucleic acid molecule comprises one or moreof the artificial nucleotide analogues described herein. In someinstances, the polynucleic acid molecule comprises 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7,8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 20, 25, or more of theartificial nucleotide analogues described herein. In some embodiments,the artificial nucleotide analogues include 2′-O-methyl,2′-O-methoxyethyl (2′-O-MOE), 2′-O-aminopropyl, 2′-deoxy,T-deoxy-2′-fluoro, 2′-O-aminopropyl (2′-O-AP), 2′-O-dimethylaminoethyl(2′-O-DMAOE), 2′-O-dimethylaminopropyl (2′-O-DMAP),T-O-dimethylaminoethyloxyethyl (2′-O-DMAEOE), or 2′-O-N-methylacetamido(2′-O-NMA) modified, LNA, ENA, PNA, HNA, morpholino, methylphosphonatenucleotides, thiolphosphonate nucleotides, 2′-fluoroN3-P5′-phosphoramidites, or a combination thereof. In some instances,the polynucleic acid molecule comprises 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10,11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 20, 25, or more of the artificialnucleotide analogues selected from 2′-O-methyl, 2′-O-methoxyethyl(2′-O-MOE), 2′-O-aminopropyl, 2′-deoxy, T-deoxy-2′-fluoro,2′-O-aminopropyl (2′-O-AP), 2′-O-dimethylaminoethyl (2′-O-DMAOE),2′-O-dimethylaminopropyl (2′-O-DMAP), T-O-dimethylaminoethyloxyethyl(2′-O-DMAEOE), or 2′-O-N-methylacetamido (2′-O-NMA) modified, LNA, ENA,PNA, HNA, morpholino, methylphosphonate nucleotides, thiolphosphonatenucleotides, 2′-fluoro N3-P5′-phosphoramidites, or a combinationthereof. In some instances, the polynucleic acid molecule comprises 1,2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 20, 25, ormore of 2′-O-methyl modified nucleotides. In some instances, thepolynucleic acid molecule comprises 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11,12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 20, 25, or more of 2′-O-methoxyethyl(2′-O-MOE) modified nucleotides. In some instances, the polynucleic acidmolecule comprises 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15,16, 17, 18, 20, 25, or more of thiolphosphonate nucleotides.

In some instances, a polynucleic acid molecule comprises at least oneof: from about 5% to about 100% modification, from about 10% to about100% modification, from about 20% to about 100% modification, from about30% to about 100% modification, from about 40% to about 100%modification, from about 50% to about 100% modification, from about 60%to about 100% modification, from about 70% to about 100% modification,from about 80% to about 100% modification, and from about 90% to about100% modification. In some instances, the polynucleic acid molecule is apolynucleic acid molecule of SEQ ID NOs: 16-81.

In some cases, a polynucleic acid molecule comprises at least one of:from about 10% to about 90% modification, from about 20% to about 90%modification, from about 30% to about 90% modification, from about 40%to about 90% modification, from about 50% to about 90% modification,from about 60% to about 90% modification, from about 70% to about 90%modification, and from about 80% to about 100% modification. In someinstances, the polynucleic acid molecule is a polynucleic acid moleculeof SEQ ID NOs: 16-81.

In some cases, a polynucleic acid molecule comprises at least one of:from about 10% to about 80% modification, from about 20% to about 80%modification, from about 30% to about 80% modification, from about 40%to about 80% modification, from about 50% to about 80% modification,from about 60% to about 80% modification, and from about 70% to about80% modification. In some instances, the polynucleic acid molecule is apolynucleic acid molecule of SEQ ID NOs: 16-81.

In some instances, a polynucleic acid molecule comprises at least oneof: from about 10% to about 70% modification, from about 20% to about70% modification, from about 30% to about 70% modification, from about40% to about 70% modification, from about 50% to about 70% modification,and from about 60% to about 70% modification. In some instances, thepolynucleic acid molecule is a polynucleic acid molecule of SEQ ID NOs:16-81.

In some instances, a polynucleic acid molecule comprises at least oneof: from about 10% to about 60% modification, from about 20% to about60% modification, from about 30% to about 60% modification, from about40% to about 60% modification, and from about 50% to about 60%modification. In some instances, the polynucleic acid molecule is apolynucleic acid molecule of SEQ ID NOs: 16-81.

In some cases, a polynucleic acid molecule comprises at least one of:from about 10% to about 50% modification, from about 20% to about 50%modification, from about 30% to about 50% modification, and from about40% to about 50% modification. In some instances, the polynucleic acidmolecule is a polynucleic acid molecule of SEQ ID NOs: 16-81.

In some cases, a polynucleic acid molecule comprises at least one of:from about 10% to about 40% modification, from about 20% to about 40%modification, and from about 30% to about 40% modification. In someinstances, the polynucleic acid molecule is a polynucleic acid moleculeof SEQ ID NOs: 16-81.

In some cases, a polynucleic acid molecule comprises at least one of:from about 10% to about 30% modification, and from about 20% to about30% modification. In some instances, the polynucleic acid molecule is apolynucleic acid molecule of SEQ ID NOs: 16-81.

In some cases, a polynucleic acid molecule comprises from about 10% toabout 20% modification. In some instances, the polynucleic acid moleculeis a polynucleic acid molecule of SEQ ID NOs: 16-81.

In some cases, a polynucleic acid molecule comprises from about 15% toabout 90%, from about 20% to about 80%, from about 30% to about 70%, orfrom about 40% to about 60% modifications. In some instances, thepolynucleic acid molecule is a polynucleic acid molecule of SEQ ID NOs:16-81.

In additional cases, a polynucleic acid molecule comprises at leastabout 15%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, 95%, or 99%modification. In some instances, the polynucleic acid molecule is apolynucleic acid molecule of SEQ ID NOs: 16-81.

In some embodiments, a polynucleic acid molecule comprises at leastabout 1, about 2, about 3, about 4, about 5, about 6, about 7, about 8,about 9, about 10, about 11, about 12, about 13, about 14, about 15,about 16, about 17, about 18, about 19, about 20, about 21, about 22, ormore modifications. In some instances, the polynucleic acid molecule isa polynucleic acid molecule of SEQ ID NOs: 16-81.

In some instances, a polynucleic acid molecule comprises at least about1, about 2, about 3, about 4, about 5, about 6, about 7, about 8, about9, about 10, about 11, about 12, about 13, about 14, about 15, about 16,about 17, about 18, about 19, about 20, about 21, about 22, or moremodified nucleotides. In some instances, the polynucleic acid moleculeis a polynucleic acid molecule of SEQ ID NOs: 16-81.

In some instances, from about 5 to about 100% of a polynucleic acidmolecule comprise an artificial nucleotide analogue described herein. Insome instances, about 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, 50%,55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, or 100% of a polynucleicacid molecule comprise an artificial nucleotide analogue describedherein. In some instances, about 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%,45%, 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, or 100% of apolynucleic acid molecule of SEQ ID NOs: 16-81 comprise an artificialnucleotide analogue described herein. In some instances, about 5%, 10%,15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%,85%, 90%, 95%, or 100% of a polynucleic acid molecule of SEQ ID NOs:16-45 comprise an artificial nucleotide analogue described herein. Insome instances, about 5% of a polynucleic acid molecule of SEQ ID NOs:16-45 comprise an artificial nucleotide analogue described herein. Insome instances, about 10% of a polynucleic acid molecule of SEQ ID NOs:16-45 comprise an artificial nucleotide analogue described herein. Insome instances, about 15% of a polynucleic acid molecule of SEQ ID NOs:16-45 comprise an artificial nucleotide analogue described herein. Insome instances, about 20% of a polynucleic acid molecule of SEQ ID NOs:16-45 comprise an artificial nucleotide analogue described herein. Insome instances, about 25% of a polynucleic acid molecule of SEQ ID NOs:16-45 comprise an artificial nucleotide analogue described herein. Insome instances, about 30% of a polynucleic acid molecule of SEQ ID NOs:16-45 comprise an artificial nucleotide analogue described herein. Insome instances, about 35% of a polynucleic acid molecule of SEQ ID NOs:16-45 comprise an artificial nucleotide analogue described herein. Insome instances, about 40% of a polynucleic acid molecule of SEQ ID NOs:16-45 comprise an artificial nucleotide analogue described herein. Insome instances, about 45% of a polynucleic acid molecule of SEQ ID NOs:16-45 comprise an artificial nucleotide analogue described herein. Insome instances, about 50% of a polynucleic acid molecule of SEQ ID NOs:16-45 comprise an artificial nucleotide analogue described herein. Insome instances, about 55% of a polynucleic acid molecule of SEQ ID NOs:16-45 comprise an artificial nucleotide analogue described herein. Insome instances, about 60% of a polynucleic acid molecule of SEQ ID NOs:16-45 comprise an artificial nucleotide analogue described herein. Insome instances, about 65% of a polynucleic acid molecule of SEQ ID NOs:16-45 comprise an artificial nucleotide analogue described herein. Insome instances, about 70% of a polynucleic acid molecule of SEQ ID NOs:16-45 comprise an artificial nucleotide analogue described herein. Insome instances, about 75% of a polynucleic acid molecule of SEQ ID NOs:16-45 comprise an artificial nucleotide analogue described herein. Insome instances, about 80% of a polynucleic acid molecule of SEQ ID NOs:16-45 comprise an artificial nucleotide analogue described herein. Insome instances, about 85% of a polynucleic acid molecule of SEQ ID NOs:16-45 comprise an artificial nucleotide analogue described herein. Insome instances, about 90% of a polynucleic acid molecule of SEQ ID NOs:16-45 comprise an artificial nucleotide analogue described herein. Insome instances, about 95% of a polynucleic acid molecule of SEQ ID NOs:16-45 comprise an artificial nucleotide analogue described herein. Insome instances, about 96% of a polynucleic acid molecule of SEQ ID NOs:16-45 comprise an artificial nucleotide analogue described herein. Insome instances, about 97% of a polynucleic acid molecule of SEQ ID NOs:16-45 comprise an artificial nucleotide analogue described herein. Insome instances, about 98% of a polynucleic acid molecule of SEQ ID NOs:16-45 comprise an artificial nucleotide analogue described herein. Insome instances, about 99% of a polynucleic acid molecule of SEQ ID NOs:16-45 comprise an artificial nucleotide analogue described herein. Insome instances, about 100% of a polynucleic acid molecule of SEQ ID NOs:16-45 comprise an artificial nucleotide analogue described herein. Insome embodiments, the artificial nucleotide analogue comprises2′-O-methyl, 2′-O-methoxyethyl (2′-O-MOE), 2′-O-aminopropyl, 2′-deoxy,T-deoxy-2′-fluoro, 2′-O-aminopropyl (2′-O-AP), 2′-O-dimethylaminoethyl(2′-O-DMAOE), 2′-O-dimethylaminopropyl (2′-O-DMAP),T-O-dimethylaminoethyloxyethyl (2′-O-DMAEOE), or 2′-O-N-methylacetamido(2′-O-NMA) modified, LNA, ENA, PNA, HNA, morpholino, methylphosphonatenucleotides, thiolphosphonate nucleotides, 2′-fluoroN3-P5′-phosphoramidites, or a combination thereof.

In some embodiments, a polynucleic acid molecule comprises from about 1to about 25 modifications in which the modification comprises anartificial nucleotide analogue described herein. In some embodiments, apolynucleic acid molecule of SEQ ID NOs: 16-81 comprises from about 1 toabout 25 modifications in which the modifications comprise an artificialnucleotide analogue described herein. In some embodiments, a polynucleicacid molecule of SEQ ID NOs: 16-81 comprises about 1 modification inwhich the modification comprises an artificial nucleotide analoguedescribed herein. In some embodiments, a polynucleic acid molecule ofSEQ ID NOs: 16-81 comprises about 2 modifications in which themodifications comprise an artificial nucleotide analogue describedherein. In some embodiments, a polynucleic acid molecule of SEQ ID NOs:16-81 comprises about 3 modifications in which the modificationscomprise an artificial nucleotide analogue described herein. In someembodiments, a polynucleic acid molecule of SEQ ID NOs: 16-81 comprisesabout 4 modifications in which the modifications comprise an artificialnucleotide analogue described herein. In some embodiments, a polynucleicacid molecule of SEQ ID NOs: 16-81 comprises about 5 modifications inwhich the modifications comprise an artificial nucleotide analoguedescribed herein. In some embodiments, a polynucleic acid molecule ofSEQ ID NOs: 16-81 comprises about 6 modifications in which themodifications comprise an artificial nucleotide analogue describedherein. In some embodiments, a polynucleic acid molecule of SEQ ID NOs:16-81 comprises about 7 modifications in which the modificationscomprise an artificial nucleotide analogue described herein. In someembodiments, a polynucleic acid molecule of SEQ ID NOs: 16-81 comprisesabout 8 modifications in which the modifications comprise an artificialnucleotide analogue described herein. In some embodiments, a polynucleicacid molecule of SEQ ID NOs: 16-81 comprises about 9 modifications inwhich the modifications comprise an artificial nucleotide analoguedescribed herein. In some embodiments, a polynucleic acid molecule ofSEQ ID NOs: 16-81 comprises about 10 modifications in which themodifications comprise an artificial nucleotide analogue describedherein. In some embodiments, a polynucleic acid molecule of SEQ ID NOs:16-81 comprises about 11 modifications in which the modificationscomprise an artificial nucleotide analogue described herein. In someembodiments, a polynucleic acid molecule of SEQ ID NOs: 16-81 comprisesabout 12 modifications in which the modifications comprise an artificialnucleotide analogue described herein. In some embodiments, a polynucleicacid molecule of SEQ ID NOs: 16-81 comprises about 13 modifications inwhich the modifications comprise an artificial nucleotide analoguedescribed herein. In some embodiments, a polynucleic acid molecule ofSEQ ID NOs: 16-81 comprises about 14 modifications in which themodifications comprise an artificial nucleotide analogue describedherein. In some embodiments, a polynucleic acid molecule of SEQ ID NOs:16-81 comprises about 15 modifications in which the modificationscomprise an artificial nucleotide analogue described herein. In someembodiments, a polynucleic acid molecule of SEQ ID NOs: 16-81 comprisesabout 16 modifications in which the modifications comprise an artificialnucleotide analogue described herein. In some embodiments, a polynucleicacid molecule of SEQ ID NOs: 16-81 comprises about 17 modifications inwhich the modifications comprise an artificial nucleotide analoguedescribed herein. In some embodiments, a polynucleic acid molecule ofSEQ ID NOs: 16-81 comprises about 18 modifications in which themodifications comprise an artificial nucleotide analogue describedherein. In some embodiments, a polynucleic acid molecule of SEQ ID NOs:16-81 comprises about 19 modifications in which the modificationscomprise an artificial nucleotide analogue described herein. In someembodiments, a polynucleic acid molecule of SEQ ID NOs: 16-81 comprisesabout 20 modifications in which the modifications comprise an artificialnucleotide analogue described herein. In some embodiments, a polynucleicacid molecule of SEQ ID NOs: 16-81 comprises about 21 modifications inwhich the modifications comprise an artificial nucleotide analoguedescribed herein. In some embodiments, a polynucleic acid molecule ofSEQ ID NOs: 16-81 comprises about 22 modifications in which themodifications comprise an artificial nucleotide analogue describedherein. In some embodiments, a polynucleic acid molecule of SEQ ID NOs:16-81 comprises about 23 modifications in which the modificationscomprise an artificial nucleotide analogue described herein. In someembodiments, a polynucleic acid molecule of SEQ ID NOs: 16-81 comprisesabout 24 modifications in which the modifications comprise an artificialnucleotide analogue described herein. In some embodiments, a polynucleicacid molecule of SEQ ID NOs: 16-81 comprises about 25 modifications inwhich the modifications comprise an artificial nucleotide analoguedescribed herein.

In some instances, a polynucleic acid molecule that comprises anartificial nucleotide analogue comprises a sequence selected from SEQ IDNOs: 46-81.

In some embodiments, a polynucleic acid molecule is assembled from twoseparate polynucleotides wherein one polynucleotide comprises the sensestrand and the second polynucleotide comprises the antisense strand ofthe polynucleic acid molecule. In other embodiments, the sense strand isconnected to the antisense strand via a linker molecule, which in someinstances, is a polynucleotide linker or a non-nucleotide linker.

In some embodiments, a polynucleic acid molecule comprises a sensestrand and antisense strand, wherein pyrimidine nucleotides in the sensestrand comprise 2′-O-methylpyrimidine nucleotides and purine nucleotidesin the sense strand comprise 2′-deoxy purine nucleotides. In someembodiments, a polynucleic acid molecule comprises a sense strand andantisense strand, wherein pyrimidine nucleotides present in the sensestrand comprise 2′-deoxy-2′-fluoro pyrimidine nucleotides and whereinpurine nucleotides present in the sense strand comprise 2′-deoxy purinenucleotides.

In some embodiments, a polynucleic acid molecule comprises a sensestrand and antisense strand, wherein the pyrimidine nucleotides whenpresent in said antisense strand are 2′-deoxy-2′-fluoro pyrimidinenucleotides and the purine nucleotides when present in said antisensestrand are 2′-O-methyl purine nucleotides.

In some embodiments, a polynucleic acid molecule comprises a sensestrand and antisense strand, wherein the pyrimidine nucleotides whenpresent in said antisense strand are 2′-deoxy-2′-fluoro pyrimidinenucleotides and wherein the purine nucleotides when present in saidantisense strand comprise 2′-deoxy-purine nucleotides.

In some embodiments, a polynucleic acid molecule comprises a sensestrand and antisense strand, wherein the sense strand includes aterminal cap moiety at the 5′-end, the 3′-end, or both of the 5′ and 3′ends of the sense strand. In other embodiments, the terminal cap moietyis an inverted deoxy abasic moiety.

In some embodiments, a polynucleic acid molecule comprises a sensestrand and an antisense strand, wherein the antisense strand comprises aphosphate backbone modification at the 3′ end of the antisense strand.In some instances, the phosphate backbone modification is aphosphorothioate.

In some embodiments, a polynucleic acid molecule comprises a sensestrand and an antisense strand, wherein the antisense strand comprises aglyceryl modification at the 3′ end of the antisense strand.

In some embodiments, a polynucleic acid molecule comprises a sensestrand and an antisense strand, in which the sense strand comprises oneor more (for example, about 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13,14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, or more) phosphorothioate internucleotidelinkages, and/or one or more (e.g., about 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10or more) 2′-deoxy, 2′-O-methyl, 2′-deoxy-2′-fluoro, and/or about one ormore (e.g., about 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 or more) universal basemodified nucleotides, and optionally a terminal cap molecule at the3′-end, the 5′-end, or both of the 3′-and 5′-ends of the sense strand;and in which the antisense strand comprises about 1 to about 10 or more,specifically about 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15,16, 17, 18, 19, 20, or more, phosphorothioate internucleotide linkages,and/or one or more (e.g., about 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 or more)2′-deoxy, 2′-O-methyl, 2′-deoxy-2′-fluoro, and/or one or more (e.g.,about 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 or more) universal base modifiednucleotides, and optionally a terminal cap molecule at the 3′-end, the5′-end, or both of the 3′-and 5′-ends of the antisense strand. In otherembodiments, one or more (for example about 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9,10, or more) pyrimidine nucleotides of the sense and/or antisense strandare chemically-modified with 2′-deoxy, 2′-O-methyl and/or2′-deoxy-2′-fluoro nucleotides, with or without one or more (for exampleabout 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, or more) phosphorothioateinternucleotide linkages and/or a terminal cap molecule at the 3′-end,the 5′-end, or both of the 3′-and 5′-ends, being present in the same ordifferent strand.

In some embodiments, a polynucleic acid molecule comprises a sensestrand and an antisense strand, in which the sense strand comprisesabout 1 to about 25 (for example, about 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10,11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, or more) phosphorothioateinternucleotide linkages, and/or one or more (e.g., about 1, 2, 3, 4, 5,6, 7, 8, 9, 10, or more) 2′-deoxy, 2′-O-methyl, 2′-deoxy-2′-fluoro,and/or one or more (e.g., about 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, or more)universal base modified nucleotides, and optionally a terminal capmolecule at the 3-end, the 5′-end, or both of the 3′-and 5′-ends of thesense strand; and in which the antisense strand comprises about 1 toabout 25 or more (for example about 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11,12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, or more) phosphorothioateinternucleotide linkages, and/or one or more (e.g., about 1, 2, 3, 4, 5,6, 7, 8, 9, 10 or more) 2′-deoxy, 2′-O-methyl, 2′-deoxy-2′-fluoro,and/or one or more (e.g., about 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 or more)universal base modified nucleotides, and optionally a terminal capmolecule at the 3′-end, the 5′-end, or both of the 3′-and 5′-ends of theantisense strand. In other embodiments, one or more (for example about1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, or more) pyrimidine nucleotides of thesense and/or antisense strand are chemically-modified with 2′-deoxy,2′-O-methyl and/or 2′-deoxy-2′-fluoro nucleotides, with or without about1 to about 25 or more (for example about 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10,11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, or more) phosphorothioateinternucleotide linkages and/or a terminal cap molecule at the 3′-end,the 5′-end, or both of the 3′-and 5′-ends, being present in the same ordifferent strand.

In some embodiments, a polynucleic acid molecule comprises a sensestrand and an antisense strand, in which the antisense strand comprisesone or more (for example, about 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12,13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, or more) phosphorothioateinternucleotide linkages, and/or about one or more (e.g., about 1, 2, 3,4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 or more) 2′-deoxy, 2′-O-methyl, 2′-deoxy-2′-fluoro,and/or one or more (e.g., about 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 or more)universal base modified nucleotides, and optionally a terminal capmolecule at the 3′-end, the 5′-end, or both of the 3′-and 5′-ends of thesense strand; and wherein the antisense strand comprises about 1 toabout 10 or more, specifically about 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 ormore, phosphorothioate internucleotide linkages, and/or one or more(e.g., about 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 or more) 2′-deoxy,2′-O-methyl, 2′-deoxy-2′-fluoro, and/or one or more (e.g., about 1, 2,3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 or more) universal base modified nucleotides,and optionally a terminal cap molecule at the 3′-end, the 5′-end, orboth of the 3′-and 5′-ends of the antisense strand. In otherembodiments, one or more (for example about 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9,10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, or more) pyrimidinenucleotides of the sense and/or antisense strand are chemically-modifiedwith 2′-deoxy, 2′-O-methyl and/or 2′-deoxy-2′-fluoro nucleotides, withor without one or more (for example, about 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10or more) phosphorothioate internucleotide linkages and/or a terminal capmolecule at the 3′-end, the 5′-end, or both of the 3′ and 5′-ends, beingpresent in the same or different strand.

In some embodiments, a polynucleic acid molecule comprises a sensestrand and an antisense strand, in which the antisense strand comprisesabout 1 to about 25 or more (for example, about 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8,9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, or more) phosphorothioateinternucleotide linkages, and/or one or more (e.g., about 1, 2, 3, 4, 5,6, 7, 8, 9, 10 or more) 2′-deoxy, 2′-O-methyl, 2′-deoxy-2′-fluoro,and/or one or more (e.g., about 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 or more)universal base modified nucleotides, and optionally a terminal capmolecule at the 3′-end, the 5′-end, or both of the 3′-and 5′-ends of thesense strand; and wherein the antisense strand comprises about 1 toabout 25 or more (for example about 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11,12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, or more) phosphorothioateinternucleotide linkages, and/or one or more (e.g., about 1, 2, 3, 4, 5,6, 7, 8, 9, 10 or more) 2′-deoxy, 2′-O-methyl, 2′-deoxy-2′-fluoro,and/or one or more (e.g., about 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 or more)universal base modified nucleotides, and optionally a terminal capmolecule at the 3′-end, the 5′-end, or both of the 3′-and 5′-ends of theantisense strand. In other embodiments, one or more (for example about1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 or more) pyrimidine nucleotides of thesense and/or antisense strand are chemically-modified with 2′-deoxy,2′-O-methyl and/or 2′-deoxy-2′-fluoro nucleotides, with or without about1 to about 5 (for example about 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or more) phosphorothioateinternucleotide linkages and/or a terminal cap molecule at the 3′-end,the 5′-end, or both of the 3′-and 5′-ends, being present in the same ordifferent strand.

In some embodiments, a polynucleic acid molecule described herein is achemically-modified short interfering nucleic acid molecule having about1 to about 25 (for example, about 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12,13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20 or more) phosphorothioate internucleotidelinkages in each strand of the polynucleic acid molecule.

In another embodiment, a polynucleic acid molecule described hereincomprises 2′-5′ internucleotide linkages. In some instances, the 2′-5′internucleotide linkage(s) is at the 3′-end, the 5′-end, or both of the3′-and 5′-ends of one or both sequence strands. In addition instances,the 2′-5′ internucleotide linkage(s) is present at various otherpositions within one or both sequence strands (for example, about 1, 2,3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, or more) including every internucleotidelinkage of a pyrimidine nucleotide in one or both strands of thepolynucleic acid molecule comprise a 2′-5′ internucleotide linkage, orabout 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, or more, including everyinternucleotide linkage of a purine nucleotide in one or both strands ofthe polynucleic acid molecule comprise a 2′-5′ internucleotide linkage.

In some embodiments, a polynucleic acid molecule is a single strandedpolynucleic acid molecule that mediates RNAi activity in a cell orreconstituted in vitro system, wherein the polynucleic acid moleculecomprises a single stranded polynucleotide having complementarily to atarget nucleic acid sequence, and wherein one or more pyrimidinenucleotides present in the polynucleic acid are 2?-deoxy-2¹-fluoropyrimidine nucleotides (e.g., wherein all pyrimidine nucleotides are2′-deoxy-2′-fluoro pyrimidine nucleotides or alternately a plurality ofpyrimidine nucleotides are 2′-deoxy-2′-fluoro pyrimidine nucleotides),and wherein one or more purine nucleotides present in the polynucleicacid are 2′-deoxy purine nucleotides (e.g., wherein all purinenucleotides are 2′-deoxy purine nucleotides or alternately⁻a pluralityof purine nucleotides are 2′-deoxy purine nucleotides), and a terminalcap modification, that is optionally present at the 3′-end, the 5′-end,or both of the 3′ and 5′-ends of the antisense sequence, the polynucleicacid molecule optionally further comprising about 1 to about 4 (e.g.,about 1, 2, 3, or 4) terminal 2′-deoxynucleotides 3′-end of thepolynucleic acid molecule, wherein the terminal nucleotides furthercomprise one or more (e.g., 1, 2, 3, or 4) phosphorothioateinternucleotide linkages, and wherein the polynucleic acid moleculeoptionally further comprises a terminal phosphate group, such as a5′-terminal phosphate group.

In some cases, one or more of the artificial nucleotide analoguesdescribed herein are resistant toward nucleases such as for exampleribonuclease such as RNase H, deoxyribunuclease such as DNase, orexonuclease such as 5′-3′ exonuclease and 3′-5′ exonuclease, whencompared to natural polynucleic acid molecules. In some instances,artificial nucleotide analogues comprising 2′-O-methyl,2′-O-methoxyethyl (2′-O-MOE), 2′-O-aminopropyl, 2′-deoxy,T-deoxy-2′-fluoro, 2′-O-aminopropyl (2′-O-AP), 2′-O-dimethylaminoethyl(2′-O-DMAOE), 2′-O-dimethylaminopropyl (2′-O-DMAP),T-O-dimethylaminoethyloxyethyl (2′-O-DMAEOE), or 2′-O-N-methylacetamido(2′-O-NMA) modified, LNA, ENA, PNA, HNA, morpholino, methylphosphonatenucleotides, thiolphosphonate nucleotides, 2′-fluoroN3-P5′-phosphoramidites, or combinations thereof are resistant towardnucleases such as for example ribonuclease such as RNase H,deoxyribunuclease such as DNase, or exonuclease such as 5′-3′exonuclease and 3′-5′ exonuclease. In some instances, 2′-O-methylmodified polynucleic acid molecule is nuclease resistant (e.g., RNase H,DNase, 5′-3′ exonuclease or 3′-5′ exonuclease resistant). In someinstances, 2′O-methoxyethyl (2′-O-MOE) modified polynucleic acidmolecule is nuclease resistant (e.g., RNase H, DNase, 5′-3′ exonucleaseor 3′-5′ exonuclease resistant). In some instances, 2′-O-aminopropylmodified polynucleic acid molecule is nuclease resistant (e.g., RNase H,DNase, 5′-3′ exonuclease or 3′-5′ exonuclease resistant). In someinstances, 2′-deoxy modified polynucleic acid molecule is nucleaseresistant (e.g., RNase H, DNase, 5′-3′ exonuclease or 3′-5′ exonucleaseresistant). In some instances, T-deoxy-2′-fluoro modified polynucleicacid molecule is nuclease resistant (e.g., RNase H, DNase, 5′-3′exonuclease or 3′-5′ exonuclease resistant). In some instances,2′-O-aminopropyl (2′-O-AP) modified polynucleic acid molecule isnuclease resistant (e.g., RNase H, DNase, 5′-3′ exonuclease or 3′-5′exonuclease resistant). In some instances, 2′-O-dimethylaminoethyl(2′-O-DMAOE) modified polynucleic acid molecule is nuclease resistant(e.g., RNase H, DNase, 5′-3′ exonuclease or 3′-5′ exonucleaseresistant). In some instances, 2′-O-dimethylaminopropyl (2′-O-DMAP)modified polynucleic acid molecule is nuclease resistant (e.g., RNase H,DNase, 5′-3′ exonuclease or 3′-5′ exonuclease resistant). In someinstances, T-O-dimethylaminoethyloxyethyl (2′-O-DMAEOE) modifiedpolynucleic acid molecule is nuclease resistant (e.g., RNase H, DNase,5′-3′ exonuclease or 3′-5′ exonuclease resistant). In some instances,2′-O-N-methylacetamido (2′-O-NMA) modified polynucleic acid molecule isnuclease resistant (e.g., RNase H, DNase, 5′-3′ exonuclease or 3′-5′exonuclease resistant). In some instances, LNA modified polynucleic acidmolecule is nuclease resistant (e.g., RNase H, DNase, 5′-3′ exonucleaseor 3′-5′ exonuclease resistant). In some instances, ENA modifiedpolynucleic acid molecule is nuclease resistant (e.g., RNase H, DNase,5′-3′ exonuclease or 3′-5′ exonuclease resistant). In some instances,HNA modified polynucleic acid molecule is nuclease resistant (e.g.,RNase H, DNase, 5′-3′ exonuclease or 3′-5′ exonuclease resistant). Insome instances, morpholinos is nuclease resistant (e.g., RNase H, DNase,5′-3′ exonuclease or 3′-5′ exonuclease resistant). In some instances,PNA modified polynucleic acid molecule is resistant to nucleases (e.g.,RNase H, DNase, 5′-3′ exonuclease or 3′-5′ exonuclease resistant). Insome instances, methylphosphonate nucleotides modified polynucleic acidmolecule is nuclease resistant (e.g., RNase H, DNase, 5′-3′ exonucleaseor 3′-5′ exonuclease resistant). In some instances, thiolphosphonatenucleotides modified polynucleic acid molecule is nuclease resistant(e.g., RNase H, DNase, 5′-3′ exonuclease or 3′-5′ exonucleaseresistant). In some instances, polynucleic acid molecule comprising2′-fluoro N3-P5′-phosphoramidites is nuclease resistant (e.g., RNase H,DNase, 5′-3′ exonuclease or 3′-5′ exonuclease resistant). In someinstances, the 5′ conjugates described herein inhibit 5′-3′exonucleolytic cleavage. In some instances, the 3′ conjugates describedherein inhibit 3′-5″ exonucleolytic cleavage.

In some embodiments, one or more of the artificial nucleotide analoguesdescribed herein have increased binding affinity toward their mRNAtarget relative to an equivalent natural polynucleic acid molecule. Theone or more of the artificial nucleotide analogues comprising2′-O-methyl, 2′-O-methoxyethyl (2′-O-MOE), 2′-O-aminopropyl, 2′-deoxy,T-deoxy-2′-fluoro, 2′-O-aminopropyl (2′-O-AP), 2′-O-dimethylaminoethyl(2′-O-DMAOE), 2′-O-dimethylaminopropyl (2′-O-DMAP),T-O-dimethylaminoethyloxyethyl (2′-O-DMAEOE), or 2′-O-N-methylacetamido(2′-O-NMA) modified, LNA, ENA, PNA, HNA, morpholino, methylphosphonatenucleotides, thiolphosphonate nucleotides, or 2′-fluoroN3-P5′-phosphoramidites have increased binding affinity toward theirmRNA target relative to an equivalent natural polynucleic acid molecule.In some instances, 2′-O-methyl-modified polynucleic acid molecule hasincreased binding affinity toward their mRNA target relative to anequivalent natural polynucleic acid molecule. In some instances,2′-O-methoxyethyl (2′-O-MOE) modified polynucleic acid molecule hasincreased binding affinity toward their mRNA target relative to anequivalent natural polynucleic acid molecule. In some instances,2′-O-aminopropyl modified polynucleic acid molecule has increasedbinding affinity toward their mRNA target relative to an equivalentnatural polynucleic acid molecule. In some instances, 2′-deoxy modifiedpolynucleic acid molecule has increased binding affinity toward theirmRNA target relative to an equivalent natural polynucleic acid molecule.In some instances, T-deoxy-2′-fluoro modified polynucleic acid moleculehas increased binding affinity toward their mRNA target relative to anequivalent natural polynucleic acid molecule. In some instances,2′-O-aminopropyl (2′-O-AP) modified polynucleic acid molecule hasincreased binding affinity toward their mRNA target relative to anequivalent natural polynucleic acid molecule. In some instances,2′-O-dimethylaminoethyl (2′-O-DMAOE) modified polynucleic acid moleculehas increased binding affinity toward their mRNA target relative to anequivalent natural polynucleic acid molecule. In some instances,2′-O-dimethylaminopropyl (2′-O-DMAP) modified polynucleic acid moleculehas increased binding affinity toward their mRNA target relative to anequivalent natural polynucleic acid molecule. In some instances,T-O-dimethylaminoethyloxyethyl (2′-O-DMAEOE) modified polynucleic acidmolecule has increased binding affinity toward their mRNA targetrelative to an equivalent natural polynucleic acid molecule. In someinstances, 2′-O-N-methylacetamido (2′-O-NMA) modified polynucleic acidmolecule has increased binding affinity toward their mRNA targetrelative to an equivalent natural polynucleic acid molecule. In someinstances, LNA-modified polynucleic acid molecule has increased bindingaffinity toward their mRNA target relative to an equivalent naturalpolynucleic acid molecule. In some instances, ENA-modified polynucleicacid molecule has increased binding affinity toward their mRNA targetrelative to an equivalent natural polynucleic acid molecule. In someinstances, PNA-modified polynucleic acid molecule has increased bindingaffinity toward their mRNA target relative to an equivalent naturalpolynucleic acid molecule. In some instances, HNA-modified polynucleicacid molecule has increased binding affinity toward their mRNA targetrelative to an equivalent natural polynucleic acid molecule. In someinstances, morpholino-modified polynucleic acid molecule has increasedbinding affinity toward their mRNA target relative to an equivalentnatural polynucleic acid molecule. In some instances, methylphosphonatenucleotide-modified polynucleic acid molecule has increased bindingaffinity toward their mRNA target relative to an equivalent naturalpolynucleic acid molecule. In some instances, thiolphosphonatenucleotide-modified polynucleic acid molecule has increased bindingaffinity toward their mRNA target relative to an equivalent naturalpolynucleic acid molecule. In some instances, polynucleic acid moleculecomprising 2′-fluoro N3-P5′-phosphoramidites has increased bindingaffinity toward their mRNA target relative to an equivalent naturalpolynucleic acid molecule. In some cases, the increased affinity isillustrated with a lower Kd, a higher melt temperature (Tm), or acombination thereof.

In some embodiments, a polynucleic acid molecule described herein is achirally pure (or stereo pure) polynucleic acid molecule, or apolynucleic acid molecule comprising a single enantiomer. In someinstances, the polynucleic acid molecule comprises L-nucleotide. In someinstances, the polynucleic acid molecule comprises D-nucleotides. Insome instance, a polynucleic acid molecule composition comprises lessthan 30%, 25%, 20%, 15%, 10%, 5%, 4%, 3%, 2%, 1%, or less of its mirrorenantiomer. In some cases, a polynucleic acid molecule compositioncomprises less than 30%, 25%, 20%, 15%, 10%, 5%, 4%, 3%, 2%, 1%, or lessof a racemic mixture. In some instances, the polynucleic acid moleculeis a polynucleic acid molecule described in: U.S. Patent PublicationNos: 2014/194610 and 2015/211006; and PCT Publication No.: WO2015107425.

In some embodiments, a polynucleic acid molecule described herein isfurther modified to include an aptamer-conjugating moiety. In someinstances, the aptamer conjugating moiety is a DNA aptamer-conjugatingmoiety. In some instances, the aptamer-conjugating moiety is Alphamer(Centauri Therapeutics), which comprises an aptamer portion thatrecognizes a specific cell-surface target and a portion that presents aspecific epitopes for attaching to circulating antibodies. In someinstance, a polynucleic acid molecule described herein is furthermodified to include an aptamer-conjugating moiety as described in: U.S.Pat. Nos: 8,604,184, 8,591,910, and 7,850,975.

In additional embodiments, a polynucleic acid molecule described hereinis modified to increase its stability. In some embodiment, thepolynucleic acid molecule is RNA (e.g., siRNA), and the polynucleic acidmolecule is modified to increase its stability. In some instances, thepolynucleic acid molecule is modified by one or more of themodifications described above to increase its stability. In some cases,the polynucleic acid molecule is modified at the 2′ hydroxyl position,such as by 2′-O-methyl, 2′-O-methoxyethyl (2′-O-MOE), 2′-O-aminopropyl,2′-deoxy, T-deoxy-2′-fluoro, 2′-O-aminopropyl (2′-O-AP),2′-O-dimethylaminoethyl (2′-O-DMAOE), 2′-O-dimethylaminopropyl(2′-O-DMAP), T-O-dimethylaminoethyloxyethyl (2′-O-DMAEOE), or2′-O-N-methylacetamido (2′-O-NMA) modification or by a locked or bridgedribose conformation (e.g., LNA or ENA). In some cases, the polynucleicacid molecule is modified by 2′-O-methyl and/or 2′-O-methoxyethylribose. In some cases, the polynucleic acid molecule also includesmorpholinos, PNAs, HNA, methylphosphonate nucleotides, thiolphosphonatenucleotides, and/or 2′-fluoro N3-P5′-phosphoramidites to increase itsstability. In some instances, the polynucleic acid molecule is achirally pure (or stereo pure) polynucleic acid molecule. In someinstances, the chirally pure (or stereo pure) polynucleic acid moleculeis modified to increase its stability. Suitable modifications to the RNAto increase stability for delivery will be apparent to the skilledperson.

In some embodiments, a polynucleic acid molecule describe herein hasRNAi activity that modulates expression of RNA encoded by KRAS. In someinstances, a polynucleic acid molecule described herein is adouble-stranded siRNA molecule that down-regulates expression of KRAS,wherein one of the strands of the double-stranded siRNA moleculecomprises a nucleotide sequence that is complementary to a nucleotidesequence of KRAS or RNA encoded by KRAS or a portion thereof, andwherein the second strand of the double-stranded siRNA moleculecomprises a nucleotide sequence substantially similar to the nucleotidesequence of KRAS or RNA encoded by KRAS or a portion thereof. In somecases, a polynucleic acid molecule described herein is a double-strandedsiRNA molecule that down-regulates expression of KRAS, wherein eachstrand of the siRNA molecule comprises about 15 to 25, 18 to 24, or 19to about 23 nucleotides, and wherein each strand comprises at leastabout 14, 17, or 19 nucleotides that are complementary to thenucleotides of the other strand. In some cases, a polynucleic acidmolecule described herein is a double-stranded siRNA molecule thatdown-regulates expression of KRAS, wherein each strand of the siRNAmolecule comprises about 19 to about 23 nucleotides, and wherein eachstrand comprises at least about 19 nucleotides that are complementary tothe nucleotides of the other strand. In some instances, the RNAiactivity occurs within a cell. In other instances, the RNAi activityoccurs in a reconstituted in vitro system.

In some embodiments, a polynucleic acid molecule describe herein hasRNAi activity that modulates expression of RNA encoded by KRAS. In someinstances, a polynucleic acid molecule described herein is asingle-stranded siRNA molecule that down-regulates expression of KRAS,wherein the single-stranded siRNA molecule comprises a nucleotidesequence that is complementary to a nucleotide sequence of KRAS or RNAencoded by KRAS or a portion thereof. In some cases, a polynucleic acidmolecule described herein is a single-stranded siRNA molecule thatdown-regulates expression of KRAS, wherein the siRNA molecule comprisesabout 15 to 25, 18 to 24, or 19 to about 23 nucleotides. In some cases,a polynucleic acid molecule described herein is a single-stranded siRNAmolecule that down-regulates expression of KRAS, wherein the siRNAmolecule comprises about 19 to about 23 nucleotides. In some instances,the RNAi activity occurs within a cell. In other instances, the RNAiactivity occurs in a reconstituted in vitro system.

In some instances, a polynucleic acid molecule is a dot ble-strandedpolynucleotide molecule comprising self-complementary sense andantisense regions, wherein the antisense region comprises a nucleotidesequence that is complementary to a nucleotide sequence in a targetnucleic acid molecule or a portion thereof and the sense region has anucleotide sequence corresponding to the target nucleic acid sequence ora portion thereof. In some instances, the polynucleic acid molecule isassembled from two separate polynucleotides, where one strand is thesense strand and the other is the antisense strand, wherein theantisense and sense strands are self-complementary (e.g., each strandcomprises a nucleotide sequence that is complementary to the nucleotidesequence in the other strand; such as where the antisense strand andsense strand form a duplex or double-stranded structure, for examplewherein the double-stranded region is about 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, or morebase pairs); the antisense strand comprises a nucleotide sequence thatis complementary to a nucleotide sequence in a target nucleic acidmolecule or a portion thereof and the sense strand comprises anucleotide sequence corresponding to the target nucleic acid sequence ora portion thereof. Alternatively, the polynucleic acid molecule isasserribled from a single oligonucleotide, where the self-complementarysense and antisense regions of the polynucleic acid molecule are linkedby means of a nucleic acid based or non-nucleic acid-based linker(s).

In some cases, a polynucleic acid molecule is a polynucleotide with aduplex, asymmetric duplex, hairpin, or asymmetric hairpin secondarystructure, having self-complementary sense and antisense regions,wherein the antisense region comprises a nucleotide sequence that iscomplementary to a nucleotide sequence in a separate target nucleic acidmolecule or a portion thereof and the sense region has a nucleotidesequence corresponding to the target nucleic acid sequence or a portionthereof. In other cases, the polynucleic acid molecule is a circularsingle-stranded polynucleotide having two or more loop structures and astem comprising self-complementary sense and antisense regions, whereinthe antisense region comprises a nucleotide sequence that iscomplementary to a nucleotide sequence in a target nucleic acid moleculeor a portion thereof and the sense region has a nucleotide sequencecorresponding to the target nucleic acid sequence or a portion thereof,and wherein the circular polynucleotide is processed either in vivo orin vitro to generate an active polynucleic acid molecule capable ofmediating RNAi. In additional cases, the polynucleic acid molecule alsocomprises a single-stranded polynucleotide having a nucleotide sequencecomplementary to a nucleotide sequence in a target nucleic acid moleculeor a portion thereof (for example, where such polynucleic acid moleculedoes not require the presence within the polynucleic acid molecule of anucleotide sequence corresponding to the target nucleic acid sequence ora portion thereof), wherein the single stranded polynucleotide furthercomprises a terminal phosphate group, such as a 5′-phosphate (see forexample Martinez et al., 2002, Cell., 110, 563-574 and Schwarz et al.,2002, Molecular Cell, 10 537-568), or 5′,3′-diphosphate.

In some instances, an asymmetric duplex is a linear polynucleic acidmolecule comprising an antisense region, a loop portion that comprisesnucleotides or non-nucleotides, and a sense region that comprises fewernucleotides than the antisense region to the extent that the senseregion has enough complimentary nucleotides to base pair with theantisense region and form a duplex with loop. For example, an asymmetrichairpin polynucleic acid molecule comprises an antisense region havinglength sufficient to mediate RNAi in a cell or in vitro system (e.g.about 19 to about 22 nucleotides) and a loop region comprising about 4to about 8 nucleotides, and a sense region having about 3 to about 18nucleotides that are complementary to the antisense region. In somecases, the asymmetric hairpin polynucleic acid molecule also comprises a5′-terminal phosphate group that is chemically modified. In additionalcases, the loop portion of the asymmetric hairpin polynucleic acidmolecule comprises nucleotides, non-nucleotides, linker molecules, orconjugate molecules.

In some embodiments, an asymmetric duplex is a polynucleic acid moleculehaving two separate strands comprising a sense region and an antisenseregion, wherein the sense region comprises fewer nucleotides than theantisense region to the extent that the sense region has enoughcomplimentary nucleotides to base pair with the antisense region andform a duplex. For example, an asymmetric duplex polynucleic acidmolecule comprises an antisense region having length sufficient tomediate RNAi in a cell or in vitro system (e.g. about 19 to about 22nucleotides) and a sense region having about 3 to about 18 nucleotidesthat are complementary to the antisense region.

In some cases, a universal base refers to nucleotide base analogs thattbrm base pain with each of the natural DNA/RNA bases with littlediscrimination between them. Non-limiting examples of universal basesinclude C-phenyl, C-naphthyl and other aromatic derivatives. inosine,azole carboxamides, and nitroazole derivatives such as 3-nitropyrrole,4-nitroindole 5-nitroindole, and 6-nitroindole as known in the art (seefor example Loakes, 2001, Nucleic Acids Research, 29, 2437-2447).

Polynucleic Acid Molecule Synthesis

In some embodiments, a polynucleic acid molecule described herein isconstructed using chemical synthesis and/or enzymatic ligation reactionsusing procedures known in the art. For example, a polynucleic acidmolecule is chemically synthesized using naturally occurring nucleotidesor variously modified nucleotides designed to increase the biologicalstability of the molecules or to increase the physical stability of theduplex formed between the polynucleic acid molecule and target nucleicacids. Exemplary methods include those described in: U.S. Pat. Nos.5,142,047; 5,185,444; 5,889,136; 6,008,400; and 6,111,086; PCTPublication No. WO2009099942; or European Publication No. 1579015.Additional exemplary methods include those described in: Griffey et al.,“2′-O-aminopropyl ribonucleotides: a zwitterionic modification thatenhances the exonuclease resistance and biological activity of antisenseoligonucleotides,” J. Med. Chem. 39(26):5100-5109 (1997)); Obika, et al.“Synthesis of 2′-O,4′-C-methyleneuridine and -cytidine. Novel bicyclicnucleosides having a fixed C3, -endo sugar puckering”. TetrahedronLetters 38 (50): 8735 (1997); Koizumi, M. “ENA oligonucleotides astherapeutics”. Current opinion in molecular therapeutics 8 (2): 144-149(2006); and Abramova et al., “Novel oligonucleotide analogues based onmorpholino nucleoside subunits-antisense technologies: new chemicalpossibilities,” Indian Journal of Chemistry 48B:1721-1726 (2009).Alternatively, the polynucleic acid molecule is produced biologicallyusing an expression vector into which a polynucleic acid molecule hasbeen subcloned in an antisense orientation (i.e., RNA transcribed fromthe inserted polynucleic acid molecule will be of an antisenseorientation to a target polynucleic acid molecule of interest).

In some embodiments, a polynucleic acid molecule is synthesized via atandem synthesis methodology, wherein both strands are synthesized as asingle contiguous oligonucleotide fragment or strand separated by acleavable linker which is subsequently cleaved to provide separatefragments or strands that hybridize and permit purification of theduplex.

In some instances, a polynucleic acid molecule is assembled from twodistinct nucleic acid strands or fragments wherein one fragment includesthe sense region and the second fragment includes the antisense regionof the molecule.

Additional modification methods for incorporating, for example, sugar,base, and phosphate modifications include: Eckstein et al.,International Publication PCT No. WO 92/07065; Perrault et al. Nature,1990, 344, 565-568; Pieken et al. Science, 1991, 253, 314-317; Usman andCedergren, Trends in Biochem. Sci., 1992, 17, 334-339; Usman et al.International Publication PCT No. WO 93/15187; Sproat, U.S. Pat. No.5,334,711 and Beigelman et al., 1995, J. Biol. Chem., 270, 25702;Beigelman et al., International PCT publication No. WO 97/26270;Beigelman et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,716,824; Usman et al., U.S. Pat. No.5,627,053; Woolf et al., International PCT Publication No. WO 98/13526;Thompson et al., U.S. Ser. No. 60/082,404 which was filed on Apr. 20,1998; Karpeisky et al., 1998, Tetrahedron Lett., 39, 1131; Earnshaw andGait, 1998, Biopolymers (Nucleic Acid Sciences), 48, 39-55; Verma andEckstein, 1998, Annu. Rev. Biochem., 67, 99-134; and Burlina et al.,1997, Bioorg. Med. Chem., 5, 1999-2010. Such publications describegeneral methods and strategies to determine the location ofincorporation of sugar, base, and/or phosphate modifications and thelike into nucleic acid molecules without modulating catalysis.

In some instances, while chemical modification of the polynucleic acidmolecule internucleotide linkages with phosphorothioate,phosphorodithioate, and/or 5′-methylphosphonate linkages improvesstability, excessive modifications sometimes cause toxicity or decreasedactivity. Therefore, when designing nucleic acid molecules, the amountof these internucleotide linkages in some cases is minimized. In suchcases, the reduction in the concentration of these linkages lowerstoxicity, and increases efficacy and specificity of these molecules.

Diseases

In some embodiments, a polynucleic acid molecule or a pharmaceuticalcomposition described herein is used for the treatment of a disease ordisorder. In some instances, the disease or disorder is a cancer. Insome embodiments, a polynucleic acid molecule or a pharmaceuticalcomposition described herein is used for the treatment of cancer. Insome instances, the cancer is a solid tumor. In some instances, thecancer is a hematologic malignancy. In some instances, the cancer is arelapsed or refractory cancer, or a metastatic cancer. In someinstances, the solid tumor is a relapsed or refractory solid tumor, or ametastatic solid tumor. In some cases, the hematologic malignancy is arelapsed or refractory hematologic malignancy, or a metastatichematologic malignancy.

In some embodiments, the cancer is a solid tumor. Exemplary solid tumorincludes, but is not limited to, anal cancer, appendix cancer, bile ductcancer (i.e., cholangiocarcinoma), bladder cancer, brain tumor, breastcancer, cervical cancer, colon cancer, cancer of Unknown Primary (CUP),esophageal cancer, eye cancer, fallopian tube cancer,gastroenterological cancer, kidney cancer, liver cancer, lung cancer,medulloblastoma, melanoma, oral cancer, ovarian cancer, pancreaticcancer, parathyroid disease, penile cancer, pituitary tumor, prostatecancer, rectal cancer, skin cancer, stomach cancer, testicular cancer,throat cancer, thyroid cancer, uterine cancer, vaginal cancer, or vulvarcancer.

In some instances, a polynucleic acid molecule or a pharmaceuticalcomposition described herein is used for the treatment of a solid tumor.In some instances, a polynucleic acid molecule or a pharmaceuticalcomposition described herein is used for the treatment of anal cancer,appendix cancer, bile duct cancer (i.e., cholangiocarcinoma), bladdercancer, brain tumor, breast cancer, cervical cancer, colon cancer,cancer of Unknown Primary (CUP), esophageal cancer, eye cancer,fallopian tube cancer, gastroenterological cancer, kidney cancer, livercancer, lung cancer, medulloblastoma, melanoma, oral cancer, ovariancancer, pancreatic cancer, parathyroid disease, penile cancer, pituitarytumor, prostate cancer, rectal cancer, skin cancer, stomach cancer,testicular cancer, throat cancer, thyroid cancer, uterine cancer,vaginal cancer, or vulvar cancer. In some instances, the solid tumor isa relapsed or refractory solid tumor, or a metastatic solid tumor.

In some instances, the cancer is a hematologic malignancy. In someinstances, the hematologic malignancy is a leukemia, a lymphoma, amyeloma, a non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, or a Hodgkin's lymphoma. In someinstances, the hematologic malignancy comprises chronic lymphocyticleukemia (CLL), small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL), high risk CLL, anon-CLL/SLL lymphoma, prolymphocytic leukemia (PLL), follicular lymphoma(FL), diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), mantle cell lymphoma (MCL),Waldenström's macroglobulinemia, multiple myeloma, extranodal marginalzone B cell lymphoma, nodal marginal zone B cell lymphoma, Burkitt'slymphoma, non-Burkitt high grade B cell lymphoma, primary mediastinalB-cell lymphoma (PMBL), immunoblastic large cell lymphoma, precursorB-lymphoblastic lymphoma, B cell prolymphocytic leukemia,lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma, splenic marginal zone lymphoma, plasma cellmyeloma, plasmacytoma, mediastinal (thymic) large B cell lymphoma,intravascular large B cell lymphoma, primary effusion lymphoma, orlymphomatoid granulomatosis.

In some instances, a polynucleic acid molecule or a pharmaceuticalcomposition described herein is used for the treatment of a hematologicmalignancy. In some instances, a polynucleic acid molecule or apharmaceutical composition described herein is used for the treatment ofa leukemia, a lymphoma, a myeloma, a non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, or aHodgkin's lymphoma. In some instances, the hematologic malignancycomprises chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), small lymphocytic lymphoma(SLL), high risk CLL, a non-CLL/SLL lymphoma, prolymphocytic leukemia(PLL), follicular lymphoma (FL), diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL),mantle cell lymphoma (MCL), Waldenström's macroglobulinemia, multiplemyeloma, extranodal marginal zone B cell lymphoma, nodal marginal zone Bcell lymphoma, Burkitt's lymphoma, non-Burkitt high grade B celllymphoma, primary mediastinal B-cell lymphoma (PMBL), immunoblasticlarge cell lymphoma, precursor B-lymphoblastic lymphoma, B cellprolymphocytic leukemia, lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma, splenic marginalzone lymphoma, plasma cell myeloma, plasmacytoma, mediastinal (thymic)large B cell lymphoma, intravascular large B cell lymphoma, primaryeffusion lymphoma, or lymphomatoid granulomatosis. In some cases, thehematologic malignancy is a relapsed or refractory hematologicmalignancy, or a metastatic hematologic malignancy.

In some instances, the cancer is a KRAS-associated cancer. In someinstances, a polynucleic acid molecule or a pharmaceutical compositiondescribed herein is used for the treatment of a KRAS-associated cancer.In some instances, the cancer is a solid tumor. In some instances, thecancer is a hematologic malignancy. In some instances, the solid tumoris a relapsed or refractory solid tumor, or a metastatic solid tumor. Insome cases, the hematologic malignancy is a relapsed or refractoryhematologic malignancy, or a metastatic hematologic malignancy. In someinstances, the cancer comprises bladder cancer, breast cancer,colorectal cancer, endometrial cancer, esophageal cancer, glioblastomamultiforme, head and neck cancer, kidney cancer, lung cancer, ovariancancer, pancreatic cancer, prostate cancer, thyroid cancer, acutemyeloid leukemia, CLL, DLBCL, or multiple myeloma.

Pharmaceutical Formulation

In some embodiments, the pharmaceutical formulations described hereinare administered to a subject by multiple administration routesincluding, but not limited to, parenteral (e.g., intravenous,subcutaneous, intramuscular), oral, intranasal, buccal, rectal, ortransdermal administration routes. In some instances, the pharmaceuticalcomposition describe herein is formulated for parenteral (e.g.,intravenous, subcutaneous, intramuscular) administration. In otherinstances, the pharmaceutical composition describe herein is formulatedfor oral administration. In still other instances, the pharmaceuticalcomposition describe herein is formulated for intranasal administration.

In some embodiments, the pharmaceutical formulations include, but arenot limited to, aqueous liquid dispersions, self-emulsifyingdispersions, solid solutions, liposomal dispersions, aerosols, soliddosage forms, powders, immediate release formulations, controlledrelease formulations, fast melt formulations, tablets, capsules, pills,delayed release formulations, extended release formulations, pulsatilerelease formulations, multiparticulate formulations (e.g., nanoparticleformulations), and mixed immediate-and controlled-release formulations.

In some instances, the pharmaceutical formulation includesmultiparticulate formulations. In some instances, the pharmaceuticalformulation includes nanoparticle formulations. In some instances,nanoparticles comprise cMAP, cyclodextrin, or lipids. In some cases,nanoparticles comprise solid lipid nanoparticles, polymericnanoparticles, self-emulsifying nanoparticles, liposomes,microemulsions, or micellar solutions. Additional exemplarynanoparticles include, but are not limited to, paramagneticnanoparticles, superparamagnetic nanoparticles, metal nanoparticles,fullerene-like materials, inorganic nanotubes, dendrimers (such as withcovalently attached metal chelates), nanofibers, nanohorns, nano-onions,nanorods, nanoropes, and quantum dots. In some instances, a nanoparticleis a metal nanoparticle, e.g., a nanoparticle of scandium, titanium,vanadium, chromium, manganese, iron, cobalt, nickel, copper, zinc,yttrium, zirconium, niobium, molybdenum, ruthenium, rhodium, palladium,silver, cadmium, hafnium, tantalum, tungsten, rhenium, osmium, iridium,platinum, gold, gadolinium, aluminum, gallium, indium, tin, thallium,lead, bismuth, magnesium, calcium, strontium, barium, lithium, sodium,potassium, boron, silicon, phosphorus, germanium, arsenic, antimony, andcombinations, alloys or oxides thereof.

In some instances, a nanoparticle includes a core or a core and a shell,as in a core-shell nanoparticle.

In some instances, a nanoparticle is further coated with molecules forattachment of functional elements (e.g., with one or more of apolynucleic acid molecule or binding moiety described herein). In someinstances, a coating comprises chondroitin sulfate, dextran sulfate,carboxymethyl dextran, alginic acid, pectin, carragheenan, fucoidan,agaropectin, porphyran, karaya gum, gellan gum, xanthan gum, hyaluronicacids, glucosamine, galactosamine, chitin (or chitosan), polyglutamicacid, polyaspartic acid, lysozyme, cytochrome C, ribonuclease,trypsinogen, chymotrypsinogen, a-chymotrypsin, polylysine, polyarginine,histone, protamine, ovalbumin, dextrin, or cyclodextrin. In someinstances, a nanoparticle comprises a graphene-coated nanoparticle.

In some cases, a nanoparticle has at least one dimension of less thanabout 500 nm, 400 nm, 300 nm, 200 nm, or 100 nm.

In some instances, the nanoparticle formulation comprises paramagneticnanoparticles, superparamagnetic nanoparticles, metal nanoparticles,fullerene-like materials, inorganic nanotubes, dendrimers (such as withcovalently attached metal chelates), nanofibers, nanohorns, nano-onions,nanorods, nanoropes or quantum dots. In some instances, a polynucleicacid molecule or a binding moiety described herein is conjugated eitherdirectly or indirectly to the nanoparticle. In some instances, at least1, 5, 10, 15, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100 or more polynucleicacid molecules or binding moieties described herein are conjugatedeither directly or indirectly to a nanoparticle.

In some embodiments, the pharmaceutical formulation comprise a deliveryvector, e.g., a recombinant vector, for the delivery of the polynucleicacid molecule into cells. In some instances, the recombinant vector isDNA plasmid. In other instances, the recombinant vector is a viralvector. Exemplary viral vectors include vectors derived fromadeno-associated virus, retrovirus, adenovirus, or alphavirus. In someinstances, the recombinant vectors capable of expressing the polynucleicacid molecules provide stable expression in target cells. In additionalinstances, viral vectors are used that provide for transient expressionof polynucleic acid molecules.

In some embodiments, the pharmaceutical formulations include a carrieror carrier materials selected on the basis of compatibility with thecomposition disclosed herein, and the release profile properties of thedesired dosage form. Exemplary carrier materials include, e.g., binders,suspending agents, disintegration agents, filling agents, surfactants,solubilizers, stabilizers, lubricants, wetting agents, diluents, and thelike. Pharmaceutically compatible carrier materials include, but are notlimited to, acacia, gelatin, colloidal silicon dioxide, calciumglycerophosphate, calcium lactate, maltodextrin, glycerine, magnesiumsilicate, polyvinylpyrrollidone (PVP), cholesterol, cholesterol esters,sodium caseinate, soy lecithin, taurocholic acid, phosphotidylcholine,sodium chloride, tricalcium phosphate, dipotassium phosphate, celluloseand cellulose conjugates, sugars sodium stearoyl lactylate, carrageenan,monoglyceride, diglyceride, pregelatinized starch, and the like. See,e.g., Remington: The Science and Practice of Pharmacy, Nineteenth Ed(Easton, Pa.: Mack Publishing Company, 1995); Hoover, John E.,Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences, Mack Publishing Co., Easton, Pa.1975; Liberman, H. A. and Lachman, L., Eds., Pharmaceutical DosageForms, Marcel Decker, New York, N.Y., 1980; and Pharmaceutical DosageForms and Drug Delivery Systems, Seventh Ed. (Lippincott Williams &Wilkins1999).

In some instances, the pharmaceutical formulations further includepH-adjusting agents or buffering agents which include acids such asacetic, boric, citric, lactic, phosphoric and hydrochloric acids; basessuch as sodium hydroxide, sodium phosphate, sodium borate, sodiumcitrate, sodium acetate, sodium lactate andtris-hydroxymethylaminomethane; and buffers such as citrate/dextrose,sodium bicarbonate, and ammonium chloride. Such acids, bases and buffersare included in an amount required to maintain pH of the composition inan acceptable range.

In some instances, the pharmaceutical formulation includes one or moresalts in an amount required to bring osmolality of the composition intoan acceptable range. Such salts include those having sodium, potassiumor ammonium cations and chloride, citrate, ascorbate, borate, phosphate,bicarbonate, sulfate, thiosulfate or bisulfite anions; suitable saltsinclude sodium chloride, potassium chloride, sodium thiosulfate, sodiumbisulfite and ammonium sulfate.

In some instances, the pharmaceutical formulations further includediluent which are used to stabilize compounds because they provide amore stable environment. Salts dissolved in buffered solutions (whichalso provide pH control or maintenance) are utilized as diluents in theart, including, but not limited to a phosphate-buffered saline solution.In certain instances, diluents increase bulk of the composition tofacilitate compression or create sufficient bulk for homogenous blendfor capsule filling. Such compounds include e.g., lactose, starch,mannitol, sorbitol, dextrose, microcrystalline cellulose such asAvicel®; dibasic calcium phosphate, dicalcium phosphate dihydrate;tricalcium phosphate, calcium phosphate; anhydrous lactose, spray-driedlactose; pregelatinized starch, compressible sugar, such as Di-Pac®(Amstar); mannitol, hydroxypropylmethylcellulose,hydroxypropylmethylcellulo se acetate stearate, sucrose-based diluents,confectioner's sugar; monobasic calcium sulfate monohydrate, calciumsulfate dihydrate; calcium lactate trihydrate, dextrates; hydrolyzedcereal solids, amylose; powdered cellulose, calcium carbonate; glycine,kaolin; mannitol, sodium chloride; inositol, bentonite, and the like.

In some cases, the pharmaceutical formulations include disintegrationagents or disintegrants to facilitate the breakup or disintegration of asubstance. The term “disintegrate” includes both the dissolution anddispersion of the dosage form when contacted with gastrointestinalfluid. Examples of disintegration agents include a starch, e.g., anatural starch such as corn starch or potato starch, a pregelatinizedstarch such as National 1551 or Amijel®, or sodium starch glycolate suchas Promogel® or Explotab®; a cellulose such as a wood product,methylcrystalline cellulose, e.g., Avicel®, Avicel® PH101, Avicel®PH102, Avicel® PH105, Elcema® P100, Emcocel®, Vivacel®, Ming Tia®, andSolka-Floc®, methylcellulose, croscarmellose, or a cross-linkedcellulose, such as cross-linked sodium carboxymethylcellulose(Ac-Di-Sol®), cross-linked carboxymethylcellulose, or cross-linkedcroscarmellose; a cross-linked starch such as sodium starch glycolate; across-linked polymer such as crospovidone; a cross-linkedpolyvinylpyrrolidone, alginate such as alginic acid or a salt of alginicacid such as sodium alginate; a clay such as Veegum® HV (magnesiumaluminum silicate); a gum such as agar, guar, locust bean, Karaya,pectin, or tragacanth; sodium starch glycolate; bentonite; a naturalsponge; a surfactant; a resin such as a cation-exchange resin; citruspulp; sodium lauryl sulfate; sodium lauryl sulfate in combinationstarch; and the like.

In some instances, the pharmaceutical formulations include fillingagents such as lactose, calcium carbonate, calcium phosphate, dibasiccalcium phosphate, calcium sulfate, microcrystalline cellulose,cellulose powder, dextrose, dextrates, dextran, starches, pregelatinizedstarch, sucrose, xylitol, lactitol, mannitol, sorbitol, sodium chloride,polyethylene glycol, and the like.

Lubricants and glidants are also optionally included in thepharmaceutical formulations described herein for preventing, reducing,or inhibiting adhesion or friction of materials. Exemplary lubricantsinclude, e.g., stearic acid, calcium hydroxide, talc, sodium stearylfumerate, a hydrocarbon such as mineral oil, or hydrogenated vegetableoil such as hydrogenated soybean oil (Sterotex®), higher fatty acids andtheir alkali-metal and alkaline earth metal salts, such as aluminum,calcium, magnesium, zinc, stearic acid, sodium stearates, glycerol,talc, waxes, Stearowet®, boric acid, sodium benzoate, sodium acetate,sodium chloride, leucine, a polyethylene glycol (e.g., PEG-4000) or amethoxypolyethylene glycol such as Carbowax™ sodium oleate, sodiumbenzoate, glyceryl behenate, polyethylene glycol, magnesium or sodiumlauryl sulfate, colloidal silica such as Syloid™, Cab-O-Sil®, a starchsuch as corn starch, silicone oil, a surfactant, and the like.

Plasticizers include compounds used to soften the microencapsulationmaterial or film coatings to make them less brittle. Suitableplasticizers include, e.g., polyethylene glycols such as PEG 300, PEG400, PEG 600, PEG 1450, PEG 3350, and PEG 800, stearic acid, propyleneglycol, oleic acid, triethyl cellulose and triacetin. Plasticizers alsofunction as dispersing agents or wetting agents.

Solubilizers include compounds such as triacetin, triethylcitrate, ethyloleate, ethyl caprylate, sodium lauryl sulfate, sodium doccusate,vitamin E TPGS, dimethylacetamide, N-methylpyrrolidone,N-hydroxyethylpyrrolidone, polyvinylpyrrolidone, hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, hydroxypropyl cyclodextrins, ethanol, n-butanol, isopropylalcohol, cholesterol, bile salts, polyethylene glycol 200-600,glycofurol, transcutol, propylene glycol, dimethyl isosorbide, and thelike.

Stabilizers include compounds such as any antioxidation agents, buffers,acids, preservatives, and the like.

Suspending agents include compounds such as polyvinylpyrrolidone (e.g.,polyvinylpyrrolidone K12, polyvinylpyrrolidone K17, polyvinylpyrrolidoneK25, or polyvinylpyrrolidone K30), vinyl pyrrolidone/vinyl acetatecopolymer (S630), polyethylene glycol (e.g., the polyethylene glycol hasa molecular weight of about 300 to about 6000, or about 3350 to about4000, or about 7000 to about 5400), sodium carboxymethylcellulose,methylcellulose, hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, hydroxymethylcelluloseacetate stearate, polysorbate-80, hydroxyethylcellulose, sodiumalginate, gums (such as, e.g., gum tragacanth and gum acacia, guar gum,xanthans, including xanthan gum), sugars, cellulosics (such as, e.g.,sodium carboxymethylcellulose, methylcellulo se, sodiumcarboxymethylcellulose, hydroxypropylmethylcellulose,hydroxyethylcellulose), polysorbate-80, sodium alginate, polyethoxylatedsorbitan monolaurate, polyethoxylated sorbitan monolaurate, povidone,and the like.

Surfactants include compounds such as sodium lauryl sulfate, sodiumdocusate, Tween 60 or 80, triacetin, vitamin E TPGS, sorbitanmonooleate, polyoxyethylene sorbitan monooleate, polysorbates,polaxomers, bile salts, glyceryl monostearate, copolymers of ethyleneoxide and propylene oxide, e.g., Pluronic® (BASF), and the like.Additional surfactants include polyoxyethylene fatty acid glycerides andvegetable oils, e.g., polyoxyethylene (60) hydrogenated castor oil; andpolyoxyethylene alkylethers and alkylphenyl ethers, e.g., octoxynol 10,octoxynol 40. Sometimes, surfactants are included to enhance physicalstability or for other purposes.

Viscosity enhancing agents include, e.g., methyl cellulose, xanthan gum,carboxymethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose acetate stearate,hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose phthalate, carbomer, polyvinyl alcohol,alginates, acacia, chitosans, and combinations thereof.

Wetting agents include compounds such as oleic acid, glycerylmonostearate, sorbitan monooleate, sorbitan monolaurate, triethanolamineoleate, polyoxyethylene sorbitan monooleate, polyoxyethylene sorbitanmonolaurate, sodium docusate, sodium oleate, sodium lauryl sulfate,sodium doccusate, triacetin, Tween 80, vitamin E TPGS, ammonium salts,and the like.

Therapeutic Regimens

In some embodiments, the pharmaceutical compositions described hereinare administered for therapeutic applications. In some embodiments, thepharmaceutical composition is administered once per day, twice per day,three times per day, or more. The pharmaceutical composition isadministered daily, every day, every alternate day, five days a week,once a week, every other week, two weeks per month, three weeks permonth, once a month, twice a month, three times per month, or more. Thepharmaceutical composition is administered for at least 1 month, 2months, 3 months, 4 months, 5 months, 6 months, 7 months, 8 months, 9months, 10 months, 11 months, 12 months, 18 months, 2 years, 3 years, ormore.

In some embodiments, one or more pharmaceutical compositions areadministered simultaneously, sequentially, or at an interval period oftime. In some embodiments, one or more pharmaceutical compositions areadministered simultaneously. In some cases, one or more pharmaceuticalcompositions are administered sequentially. In additional cases, one ormore pharmaceutical compositions are administered at an interval periodof time (e.g., the first administration of a first pharmaceuticalcomposition is on day one followed by an interval of at least 1, 2, 3,4, 5, or more days prior to the administration of at least a secondpharmaceutical composition).

In some embodiments, two or more different pharmaceutical compositionsare coadministered. In some instances, the two or more differentpharmaceutical compositions are coadministered simultaneously. In somecases, the two or more different pharmaceutical compositions arecoadministered sequentially without a gap of time betweenadministrations. In other cases, the two or more differentpharmaceutical compositions are coadministered sequentially with a gapof about 0.5 hour, 1 hour, 2 hour, 3 hour, 12 hours, 1 day, 2 days, ormore between administrations.

In the case wherein the patient's status does improve, upon the doctor'sdiscretion the administration of the composition is given continuously;alternatively, the dose of the composition being administered istemporarily reduced or temporarily suspended for a certain length oftime (i.e., a “drug holiday”). In some instances, the length of the drugholiday varies between 2 days and 1 year, including by way of exampleonly, 2 days, 3 days, 4 days, 5 days, 6 days, 7 days, 10 days, 12 days,15 days, 20 days, 28 days, 35 days, 50 days, 70 days, 100 days, 120days, 150 days, 180 days, 200 days, 250 days, 280 days, 300 days, 320days, 350 days, or 365 days. The dose reduction during a drug holiday isfrom 10%-100%, including, by way of example only, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%,30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, or100%.

Once improvement of the patient's conditions has occurred, a maintenancedose is administered if necessary. Subsequently, the dosage or thefrequency of administration, or both, are optionally reduced, as afunction of the symptoms, to a level at which the improved disease,disorder or condition is retained.

In some embodiments, the amount of a given agent that corresponds tosuch an amount varies depending upon factors such as the particularcompound, the severity of the disease, the identity (e.g., weight) ofthe subject or host in need of treatment, but nevertheless is routinelydetermined in a manner known in the art according to the particularcircumstances surrounding the case, including, e.g., the specific agentbeing administered, the route of administration, and the subject or hostbeing treated. In some instances, the desired dose is convenientlypresented in a single dose or as divided doses administeredsimultaneously (or over a short period of time) or at appropriateintervals, for example as two, three, four or more sub-doses per day.

The foregoing ranges are merely suggestive, as the number of variablesin regard to an individual treatment regime is large, and considerableexcursions from these recommended values are not uncommon. Such dosagesare altered depending on a number of variables, not limited to theactivity of the compound used, the disease or condition to be treated,the mode of administration, the requirements of the individual subject,the severity of the disease or condition being treated, and the judgmentof the practitioner.

In some embodiments, toxicity and therapeutic efficacy of suchtherapeutic regimens are determined by standard pharmaceuticalprocedures in cell cultures or experimental animals, including, but notlimited to, the determination of the LD50 (the dose lethal to 50% of thepopulation) and the ED50 (the dose therapeutically effective in 50% ofthe population). The dose ratio between the toxic and therapeuticeffects is the therapeutic index and it is expressed as the ratiobetween LD50 and ED50. Compounds exhibiting high therapeutic indices arepreferred. The data obtained from cell culture assays and animal studiesare used in formulating a range of dosage for use in humans. The dosageof such compounds lies preferably within a range of circulatingconcentrations that include the ED50 with minimal toxicity. The dosagevaries within this range depending upon the dosage form employed and theroute of administration utilized.

Kits/Article of Manufacture

Disclosed herein, in certain embodiments, are kits and articles ofmanufacture for use with one or more of the compositions and methodsdescribed herein. Such kits include a carrier, package, or containerthat is compartmentalized to receive one or more containers such asvials, tubes, and the like, each of the container(s) comprising one ofthe separate elements to be used in a method described herein. Suitablecontainers include, for example, bottles, vials, syringes, and testtubes. In one embodiment, the containers are formed from a variety ofmaterials such as glass or plastic.

The articles of manufacture provided herein contain packaging materials.Examples of pharmaceutical packaging materials include, but are notlimited to, blister packs, bottles, tubes, bags, containers, bottles,and any packaging material suitable for a selected formulation andintended mode of administration and treatment.

For example, the container(s) include KRAS nucleic acid moleculedescribed herein. Such kits optionally include an identifyingdescription or label or instructions relating to its use in the methodsdescribed herein.

A kit typically includes labels listing contents and/or instructions foruse and package inserts with instructions for use. A set of instructionswill also typically be included.

In one embodiment, a label is on or associated with the container. Inone embodiment, a label is on a container when letters, numbers, orother characters forming the label are attached, molded or etched intothe container itself; a label is associated with a container when it ispresent within a receptacle or carrier that also holds the container,e.g., as a package insert. In one embodiment, a label is used toindicate that the contents are to be used for a specific therapeuticapplication. The label also indicates directions for use of thecontents, such as in the methods described herein.

In certain embodiments, the pharmaceutical compositions are presented ina pack or dispenser device which contains one or more unit dosage formscontaining a compound provided herein. The pack, for example, containsmetal or plastic foil, such as a blister pack. In one embodiment, thepack or dispenser device is accompanied by instructions foradministration. In one embodiment, the pack or dispenser is alsoaccompanied with a notice associated with the container in a formprescribed by a governmental agency regulating the manufacture, use, orsale of pharmaceuticals, which notice is reflective of approval by theagency of the form of the drug for human or veterinary administration.Such notice, for example, is the labeling approved by the U.S. Food andDrug Administration for prescription drugs, or the approved productinsert. In one embodiment, compositions containing a compound providedherein formulated in a compatible pharmaceutical carrier are alsoprepared, placed in an appropriate container, and labeled for treatmentof an indicated condition.

Certain Terminology

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used hereinhave the same meaning as is commonly understood by one of skill in theart to which the claimed subject matter belongs. It is to be understoodthat the general description and the detailed description are exemplaryand explanatory only and are not restrictive of any subject matterclaimed. In this application, the use of the singular includes theplural unless specifically stated otherwise. It must be noted that, asused in the specification, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the”include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.In this application, the use of “or” means “and/or” unless statedotherwise. Furthermore, use of the term “including” as well as otherforms, such as “include”, “includes,” and “included,” is not limiting.

As used herein, ranges and amounts can be expressed as “about” aparticular value or range. About also includes the exact amount. Hence“about 5 μL” means “about 5 μL” and also “5 μL.” Generally, the term“about” includes an amount that is expected to be within experimentalerror, e.g., ±5%, ±10%, or ±15%.

The section headings used herein are for organizational purposes onlyand are not to be construed as limiting the subject matter described.

As used herein, the terms “individual(s),” “subject(s),” and“patient(s)” mean any mammal. In some embodiments, the mammal is ahuman. In some embodiments, the mammal is a non-human. None of the termsrequire or are limited to situations characterized by the supervision(e.g. constant or intermittent) of a health care worker (e.g. a doctor,a registered nurse, a nurse practitioner, a physician's assistant, anorderly, or a hospice worker).

EXAMPLES

These examples are provided for illustrative purposes only and not tolimit the scope of the claims provided herein.

Example 1 Sequences

Table 1 illustrates KRAS target sequences. Tables 2 and 3 illustratepolynucleic acid molecule sequences described herein.

TABLE 1 KRAS Target Sequences sequence SEQ Id position in target site ID# NM_033360.2 in NM_033360.2 NO: 182 182-200 AAAUGACUGAAUAUAAACUUGUG  1183 183-201 AAUGACUGAAUAUAAACUUGUGG  2 197 197-215AACUUGUGGUAGUUGGAGCUGGU  3 224 224-242 UAGGCAAGAGUGCCUUGACGAUA  4 226226-244 GGCAAGAGUGCCUUGACGAUACA  5 227 227-245 GCAAGAGUGCCUUGACGAUACAG 6 228 228-246 CAAGAGUGCCUUGACGAUACAGC  7 232 232-250AGUGCCUUGACGAUACAGCUAAU  8 233 233-251 GUGCCUUGACGAUACAGCUAAUU  9 236236-254 CCUUGACGAUACAGCUAAUUCAG 10 237 237-255 CUUGACGAUACAGCUAAUUCAGA11 245 245-263 UACAGCUAAUUCAGAAUCAUUUU 12 266 266-284UUGUGGACGAAUAUGAUCCAACA 13 269 269-287 UGGACGAAUAUGAUCCAACAAUA 14 270270-288 GGACGAAUAUGAUCCAACAAUAG 15

TABLE 2 KRAS siRNA sequences sequence position sense antisense in NM_strand SEQ strand SEQ Id 033360. sequence ID sequence ID # 2 (5′-3′) NO:(5′-3′) NO: 182 182-200 AUGACUGAAUAUAAA 16 CAAGUUUAUAUUCAG 17 CUUGTTUCAUTT 183 183-201 UGACUGAAUAUAAAC 18 ACAAGUUUAUAUUCA 19 UUGUTT GUCATT197 197-215 CUUGUGGUAGUUGGA 20 CAGCUCCAACUACCA 21 GCUGTT CAAGTT 224224-242 GGCAAGAGUGCCUUG 22 UCGUCAAGGCACUCU 23 ACGATT UGCCTT 226 226-244CAAGAGUGCCUUGAC 24 UAUCGUCAAGGCACU 25 GAUATT CUUGTT 227 227-245AAGAGUGCCUUGACG 26 GUAUCGUCAAGGCAC 27 AUACTT UCUUTT 228 228-246AGAGUGCCUUGACGA 28 UGUAUCGUCAAGGCA 29 UACATT CUCUTT 232 232-250UGCCUUGACGAUACA 30 UAGCUGUAUCGUCAA 31 GCUATT GGCATT 233 233-251GCCUUGACGAUACAG 32 UUAGCUGUAUCGUCA 33 CUAATT AGGCTT 236 236-254UUGACGAUACAGCUA 34 GAAUUAGCUGUAUCG 35 AUUCTT UCAATT 237 237-255UGACGAUACAGCUAA 36 UGAAUUAGCUGUAUC 37 UUCATT GUCATT 245 245-263CAGCUAAUUCAGAAU 38 AAUGAUUCUGAAUUA 39 CAUUTT GCUGTT 266 266-284GUGGACGAAUAUGAU 40 UUGGAUCAUAUUCGU 41 CCAATT CCACTT 269 269-287GACGAAUAUGAUCCA 42 UUGUUGGAUCAUAUU 43 ACAATT CGUCTT 270 270-288ACGAAUAUGAUCCAA 44 AUUGUUGGAUCAUAU 45 CAAUTT UCGUTT

TABLE 3 KRAS siRNA Sequences with Chemical ModificationsiRNA sequence with  siRNA sequence with sequence chemical modifica- SEQchemical modification SEQ Id position in tion sense strand IDantisense strand ID # NM_033360.2 sequence (5′-3′) NO: sequence (5′-3′)NO: 182 182-200 auGfaCfuGfaAfuAfuAf 46 CfAfaGfuUfuAfuAfuUfcAfgU 47aAfcUfuGfdTsdT fcAfudTsdT 183 183-201 ugAfcUfgAfaUfaUfaAf 48AfCfaAfgUfuUfaUfaUfuCfaGf 49 aCfuUfgUfdTsdT uCfadTsdT 197 197-215cuUfgUfgGfuAfgUfuGf 50 CfAfgCfuCfcAfaCfuAfcCfaCf 51 gAfgCfuGfdTsdTaAfgdTsdT 224 224-242 ggCfaAfgAfgUfgCfcUf 52 UfCfgUfcAfaGfgCfaCfuCfuUf53 uGfaCfgAfdTsdT gCfcdTsdT 226 226-244 caAfgAfgUfgCfcUfuGf 54UfAfuCfgUfcAfaGfgCfaCfuCf 55 aCfgAfuAfdTsdT uUfgdTsdT 227 227-245aaGfaGfuGfcCfuUfgAf 56 GfUfaUfcGfuCfaAfgGfcAfcUf 57 cGfaUfaCfdTsdTcUfudTsdT 228 228-246 agAfgUfgCfcUfuGfaCf 58 UfGfuAfuCfgUfcAfaGfgCfaCf59 gAfuAfcAfdTsdT uCfudTsdT 232 232-250 ugCfcUfuGfaCfgAfuAf 60UfAfgCfuGfuAfuCfgUfcAfaGf 61 cAfgCfuAfdTsdT gCfadTsdT 233 233-251gcCfuUfgAfcGfaUfaCf 62 UfUfaGfcUfgUfaUfcGfuCfaAf 63 aGfcUfaAfdTsdTgGfcdTsdT 236 236-254 uuGfaCfgAfuAfcAfgCf 64 GfAfaUfuAfgCfuGfuAfuCfgU 65uAfaUfuCfdTsdT fcAfadTsdT 237 237-255 ugAfcGfaUfaCfaGfcUf 66UfGfaAfuUfaGfcUfgUfaUfcGf 67 aAfuUfcAfdTsdT uCfadTsdT 245 245-263caGfcUfaAfuUfcAfgAf 68 AfAfuGfaUfuCfuGfaAfuUfaGf 69 aUfcAfuUfdTsdTcUfgdTsdT 266 266-284 guGfgAfcGfaAfuAfuGf 70 UfUfgGfaUfcAfuAfuUfcGfuCf71 aUfcCfaAfdTsdT cAfcdTsdT 269 269-287 gaCfgAfaUfaUfgAfuCf 72UfUfgUfuGfgAfuCfaUfaUfuCf 73 cAfaCfaAfdTsdT gUfcdTsdT 270 270-288acGfaAfuAfuGfaUfcCf 74 AfUfuGfuUfgGfaUfcAfuAfuU 75 aAfcAfaUfdTsdTfcGfudTsdT siRNA Sequence with Chemical Modification Info lower case (n)= 2′-O-Me; Nf = 2′-F; dT = deoxy-T residue; s = phosphorothioatebackbone modification; iB = inverted abasic

Example 2 Evaluation of In Vitro Potency of anti-KRas siRNAs

The anti-KRas siRNAs sequences listed in Table 4 were transfected in twohuman non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cell lines, H358 (KRas G12C)and H1975 (KRas WT). Each siRNA was formulated with a LipofectamineRNAiMAX (Life Technologies), according to the manufacturer's “forwardtransfection” instructions, at a single final concentration of 5 nM.Cells were plated 24 h prior to transfection in duplicate within 24-welltissue culture plates. At 48 h post-transfection, RNA was harvested fromcells in all wells using Stratec InviTrap® RNA Cell HTS96 kit. Theconcentration of each isolated RNA was determined via A260 measurementusing a NanoDrop spectrophotometer. RNA samples were reverse transcribedto cDNA using the High Capacity RNA to cDNA Kit (Life Technologies)according to the manufacturer's instructions. cDNA samples were thenevaluated by qPCR using KRas-specific probes with results normalized toendogenous (3-actin and quantified using the standard 2^(−ΔΔCt) method.KRas mRNA levels were normalized to expression in vehicle controls andare reported in Table 4.

TABLE 4 qPCR, qPCR, H358, H1975, 5 nM 5 nM SEQ SEQ % Rel % Rel siRNAsense strand ID antisense strand ID KRas KRas # sequence (5′-3′) NO:sequence (5′-3′) NO: mRNA mRNA R-1053 ugAfcUfgAfaUfaUfaAfa 48AfCfaAfgUfuUfaUfaUfu 49  9.8 12.9 CfuUfgUfdTsdT CfaGfuCfadTsdT R-1057aaGfaGfuGfcCfuUfgAfc 56 GfUfaUfcGfuCfaAfgGfc 57 11.7  8.7 GfaUfaCfdTsdTAfcUfcUfudTsdT R-1058 agAfgUfgCfcUfuGfaCfg 58 UfGfuAfuCfgUfcAfaGfg 5914.4 24.9 AfuAfcAfdTsdT CfaCfuCfudTsdT R-1052 auGfaCfuGfaAfuAfuAfa 46CfAfaGfuUfuAfuAfuUfc 47 14.5 19.2 AfcUfuGfdTsdT AfgUfcAfudTsdT R-1056caAfgAfgUfgCfcUfuGfa 54 UfAfuCfgUfcAfaGfgCfa 55 15 17 CfgAfuAfdTsdTCfuCfuUfgdTsdT R-1060 gcCfuUfgAfcGfaUfaCfa 62 UfUfaGfcUfgUfaUfcGfu 6318.5 36.7 GfcUfaAfdTsdT CfaAfgGfcdTsdT R-1063 caGfcUfaAfuUfcAfgAfa 68AfAfuGfaUfuCfuGfaAfu 69 19.8 14.8 UfcAfuUfdTsdT UfaGfcUfgdTsdT R-1062ugAfcGfaUfaCfaGfcUfa 66 UfGfaAfuUfaGfcUfgUfa 67 20 14.8 AfuUfcAfdTsdTUfcGfuCfadTsdT R-1064 guGfgAfcGfaAfuAfuGfa 70 UfUfgGfaUfcAfuAfuUfc 7122.2 33.6 UfcCfaAfdTsdT GfuCfcAfcdTsdT R-1054 cuUfgUfgGfuAfgUfuGfg 50CfAfgCfuCfcAfaCfuAfc 51 29.4 64.6 AfgCfuGfdTsdT CfaCfaAfgdTsdT R-1061uuGfaCfgAfuAfcAfgCfu 64 GfAfaUfuAfgCfuGfuAfu 65 37 72.4 AfaUfuCfdTsdTCfgUfcAfadTsdT R-1059 ugCfcUfuGfaCfgAfuAfc 60 UfAfgCfuGfuAfuCfgUfc 6144.6 99.3 AfgCfuAfdTsdT AfaGfgCfadTsdT R-1065 gaCfgAfaUfaUfgAfuCfc 72UfUfgUfuGfgAfuCfaUfa 73 46 72 AfaCfaAfdTsdT UfuCfgUfcdTsdT R-1055ggCfaAfgAfgUfgCfcUfu 52 UfCfgUfcAfaGfgCfaCfu 53 52.3 90.9 GfaCfgAfdTsdTCfuUfgCfcdTsdT R-1066 acGfaAfuAfuGfaUfcCfa 74 AfUfuGfuUfgGfaUfcAfu 7581.8 50.5 AfcAfaUfdTsdT AfuUfcGfudTsdT siRNA Sequence with ChemicalModification Info lower case (n) = 2′-O-Me; Nf = 2′-F; dT = deoxy-Tresidue; s = phosphorothioate backbone modification; iB = invertedabasic

Of the 15 siRNA candidates tested, six achieved≧80% down-regulation inboth cell lines tested. Based upon the results from this initialsingle-concentration experiment, we selected a total of three candidatesiRNAs (ID #183, #227, #237) for multi-concentration testing, todetermine IC₅₀ values (i.e., the concentration required to reduce KRasexpression by 50%), in the two cell lines. Cells were transfected asabove at concentrations starting from 5000 pM using serial dilutions. At48 h post-transfection, RNA was harvested and normalized KRas mRNAlevels were quantified as described above. Results are presented inTable 5. All the three siRNA had comparable potency in term ofdownregulation of KRas mRNA. ID # 237 was used to determine if thechanges in KRAs mRNA had an effect on cell viability. #237 was alsopredicted to be able to silence mouse KRas, which was confirmed in LewisLung Carcinoma (LLC).

TABLE 5 qPCR, qPCR, qPCR, SEQ SEQ H358, H1975, LLC, siRNA sense strandID antisense strand ID IC50, IC50, IC50, # sequence (5′-3′) NO:sequence (5′-3′) NO: (pM) (pM) (pM) R-1053 ugAfcUfgAfaUfaUfa 48AfCfaAfgUfuUfaUfaUf 49 6.1 5 AfaCfuUfgUfdTsdT uCfaGfuCfadTsdT R-1057aaGfaGfuGfcCfuUfg 56 GfUfaUfcGfuCfaAfgGf 57 2.8 1.7 AfcGfaUfaCfdTsdTcAfcUfcUfudTsdT R-1062 ugAfcGfaUfaCfaGfc 66 UfGfaAfuUfaGfcUfgUf 67 2.70.3 9.9 UfaAfuUfcAfdTsdT aUfcGfuCfadTsdT siRNA Sequence with ChemicalModification Info lower case (n) = 2′-O-Me; Nf = 2′-F; dT = deoxy-Tresidue; s = phosphorothioate backbone modification; iB = invertedabasic

Different modification patterns of ID #237 (R-1119, R-1120, and R-1121)were prepared and their effect on KRas mRNA were tested in H358 asdescribed above. Table 6 reports the IC₅₀ values and cell viabilities.Modification of R-1121 caused significant activity loss while the othertwo showed comparable activity to ID #237.

TABLE 6 qPCR, Viability Viability Viability sense strand SEQantisense strand SEQ H358, H358, H441, 5W1116, siRNA sequence IDsequence ID IC50, IC50, IC50, IC50, # (5′-3′) NO: (5′-3′) NO: pM pM pM2pM22 R-1062 ugAfcGfaUfaCfa 66 UfGfaAfuUfaGfc 67 2.7 26.9 GfcUfaAfuUfcAfUfgUfaUfcGfuCf dTsdT adTsdT R-1119 UGACGAUACA 76 UGAAUUAGCU 77 4.3 25.4GCUAAUUCAd GUAUCGUCAd TsdT TsdT R-1120 iBugAfcGfaUfaCf 78 UfsGfsasAfuUfa79 4.1 76.2 11.5 44 aGfcUfaAfuUfcA GfcUfgUfaUfcGf fusuiB uCfausu R-1121iBugAfcGfaUfaCf 80 usGfsasAfuUfaGf 81 37.8 750 aGfcUfaAfuUfcAcUfgUfaUfcGfuC fusuiB fausu siRNA Sequence with Chemical ModificationInfo lower case (n) = 2′-O-Me; Nf = 2′-F; dT = deoxy-T residue; s =phosphorothioate backbone modification; iB = inverted abasic

Knocking down KRas mRNA is known to affect cell viability andproliferation, particularly in cell lines carrying KRas activatingmutations, such as H358 (G12C), H441 (G12V), and SW1116 (G12V). 3000cells were plated in 384-well plates and increasing concentration ofsiRNA R-1120 in the presence of RNAiMAX were added to the cell culture.At 4 days post transfection, new media and siRNAs with transfectionreagent were added to the cell culture plates for H441 and SW1116 cells.After a total of four (H358) or six (H441 and SW1116) days, cellviability was assessed with CellTiter-Blue® (Promega), according to themanufacturer's instructions and is reported in Table 3. Reducing thelevels of KRas mRNA had a dramatic effect on cell growth of H358, H441and SW1116 cells.

As shown in FIG. 1, using a 3D cell culture assay, it was found thatH358 cell viability was reduced in a dose-dependent manner by anti-KRASsiRNA (siRNA R-1120) compared to a scrambled siRNA control. 2500 H358cells were plated in 96-well Ultra-low binding plates (Corning #7007).Increasing concentration of siRNA R-1120 in the presence of RNAiMAX wereadded to the cell culture. On day 7, cell viability was assessed withCellTiter-Blue® (Promega), according to the manufacturer's instructions.

While preferred embodiments of the present disclosure have been shownand described herein, it will be obvious to those skilled in the artthat such embodiments are provided by way of example only. Numerousvariations, changes, and substitutions will now occur to those skilledin the art without departing from the disclosure. It should beunderstood that various alternatives to the embodiments of thedisclosure described herein may be employed in practicing thedisclosure. It is intended that the following claims define the scope ofthe disclosure and that methods and structures within the scope of theseclaims and their equivalents be covered thereby.

1. A polynucleic acid molecule that mediates RNA interference againstKirsten Rat Sarcoma Viral Oncogene Homolog (KRAS), wherein thepolynucleic acid molecule hybridizes to a KRAS target sequence selectedfrom SEQ ID NOs: 3, 4, 9, and 15, wherein the polynucleic acid moleculecomprises at least one 2′ modified nucleotide, at least one modifiedinternucleotide linkage, or at least one inverted abasic moiety, andwherein the polynucleic acid molecule is from 10 to 50 nucleotides inlength.
 2. (canceled)
 3. The polynucleic acid molecule of claim 1,wherein the at least one 2′ modified nucleotide comprises 2′-O-methyl,2′-O-methoxyethyl (2′-O-MOE), 2′-O-aminopropyl, 2′-deoxy,T-deoxy-2′-fluoro, 2′-O-aminopropyl (2′-O-AP), 2′-O-dimethylaminoethyl(2′-O-DMAOE), 2′-O-dimethylaminopropyl (2′-O-DMAP),T-O-dimethylaminoethyloxyethyl (2′-O-DMAEOE), or 2′-O-N-methylacetamido(2′-O-NMA) modified nucleotide.
 4. The polynucleic acid molecule ofclaim 1, wherein the at least one 2′ modified nucleotide compriseslocked nucleic acid (LNA) or ethylene nucleic acid (ENA).
 5. Thepolynucleic acid molecule of claim 1, wherein the at least one invertedabasic moiety is at at least one terminus.
 6. The polynucleic acidmolecule of claim 1, wherein the at least one modified internucleotidelinkage comprises a phosphorothioate linkage or a phosphorodithioatelinkage.
 7. The polynucleic acid molecule of claim 1, wherein thepolynucleic acid molecule is from 10 to 30 nucleotides in length.
 8. Thepolynucleic acid molecule of claim 1, wherein the polynucleic acidmolecule is at least 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, or 25nucleotides in length.
 9. The polynucleic acid molecule of claim 1,wherein the polynucleic acid molecule comprises at least one of: from50% to 100% modification, from 60% to 100% modification, from 70% to100% modification, from 80% to 100% modification, and from 90% to 100%modification.
 10. The polynucleic acid molecule of claim 1, wherein thepolynucleic acid molecule comprises 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12,13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22 or more modified nucleotides. 11.The polynucleic acid molecule of claim 1, wherein the polynucleic acidmolecule comprises a single strand.
 12. The polynucleic acid molecule ofclaim 1, wherein the polynucleic acid molecule comprises a firstpolynucleotide and a second polynucleotide hybridized to the firstpolynucleotide to form a double-stranded polynucleic acid molecule. 13.The polynucleic acid molecule of claim 12, wherein the secondpolynucleotide comprises at least one modification.
 14. The polynucleicacid molecule of claim 12, wherein the first polynucleotide and thesecond polynucleotide are RNA molecules.
 15. The polynucleic acidmolecule of claim 12, wherein the first polynucleotide comprises asequence having at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100%sequence identity to a sequence selected from SEQ ID NOs:[[16-81]]20-23, 32, 33, 44, 45, 50-53, 62, 63, 74, and
 75. 16. Thepolynucleic acid molecule of claim 12, wherein the second polynucleotidecomprises a sequence having at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%,99%, or 100% sequence identity to a sequence selected from SEQ ID NOs:[[16-81]]20-23, 32, 33, 44, 45, 50-53, 62, 63, 74, and
 75. 17. Apharmaceutical composition comprising: a) a molecule of claim 1; and b)a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient.
 18. The pharmaceuticalcomposition of claim 17, wherein the pharmaceutical composition isformulated as a nanoparticle formulation.
 19. The pharmaceuticalcomposition of claim 17, wherein the pharmaceutical composition isformulated for parenteral, oral, intranasal, buccal, rectal, ortransdermal administration.
 20. The polynucleic acid molecule of claim1, wherein the polynucleic acid molecule comprises two contiguousmodified T or U residues at the 3′ terminus.